[HWYSTR455]

Did I miss the fact that you changed the oil? NEVER drive on break in oil, that ALWAYS gets dumped after initial start up. Period.

If you use molys/assembly lubes, that stuff clogs filters fast. And it can only do harm after the initial start up. Once it runs for a couple mins, it's purpose is done. All the contaminates from assembly and initial part break in needs to be dumped.

If you're still on the break in oil, that could be part of the reason you saw a drop in oil psi. And while we're at it, what filters are you using? And weight oil?

I'm with Tim C. on the re-torque, after roughly the first heat cycle, cooled down, back off a 1/4 turn, and re-torque.

The oil you saw is probably a leak from the valve cover, valley pan, breather, or filter housing, head gaskets don't leak oil for the most part, they leak coolant.

Anyway, I think you're good, check timing, coolant level, maybe re-torque, oil/filter change, and try again.

.

[goatman65]

Well it did stop smoking now. I haven't driven it yet, just moved it about 10 feet. I think the oil IS from the valve cover,not the head gasket. I drained the break-in oil and changed the filter and refilled it with break-in oil, Brad Penn 30w and Delco 61 filter.

Cold oil press is 65 at any rpm and as it reaches temp the press is 55 at around 2000 rpm. Right now I have the idle set at 1200 and the hot press is a little above 25. The press quickly goes up with the rpms when I rev it. I think all is good now. I still need to re-torque the heads and readjust the hot valve lash, I did it cold to get the engine running.

[HWYSTR455]

Are you taking your oil psi readings from the port by the distributor?

Those oil psi numbers look fine, I think you're golden.

(you can release that sigh of relief)

.

[goatman65]

Yes I have a mech gauge at the dist port and also the factory gauge at the filter.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Report back SOON as to how the Highway loaded engine pulls feel.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by goatman65

Yes I have a mech gauge at the dist port and also the factory gauge at the filter.

Keep in mind, in general, you can see as much as a 7-10 psi difference at the dizzy port. Few variables there, like oil weight, hot temp, engine clearances, etc. all effect that reading amount.

.

[grivera]

Originally Posted by goatman65

... Right now I have the idle set at 1200 and the hot press is a little above 25...

Is the idle this high to keep it from stalling? What is your oil pressure at 800-900 idle rpm?

[goatman65]

Cam is a solid flat tappet so I have the idle at 1200 until I get some more run time on it. Engine only has about a half hour of running time so far. Otherwise I set idle at 900.

Oil press at 900 rpm is 25 hot.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by goatman65

Cam is a solid flat tappet so I have the idle at 1200 until I get some more run time on it. Engine only has about a half hour of running time so far. Otherwise I set idle at 900. Oil press at 900 rpm is 25 hot.

My engines get onto the Highway after 5-10 minutes of first-fire; to seat the rings under load.

I hope that 1/2 hour had time on the road to load the rings....!

[grivera]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

My engines get onto the Highway after 5-10 minutes of first-fire; to seat the rings under load.

I hope that 1/2 hour had time on the road to load the rings....!

When you break-in a FT cam, you don't do a 20-30 min break-in period for the cam?