Need your opinions and help again, guys.

[spiderman]

Sorry, this is kind of long. Okay, still weird oil pressure. At startup 40-50 psi. But as it warms up, the pressure drops, sometimes to right about zero. Cruising down the road, it will read 10-20 pounds, but at idle it will drop way down. I replaced my pump gears(New) and the timing cover with a low miles one.(88,000). This cover is in much better shape than my old one. Clearances on the new one also checked out. No scoring or gouging whatsoever. I think that my guage may be inaccurate. I put a cheap mechanical guage in 1.5 months ago. I think it may be inaccurate because thicker weight oil does not change the reading, and there is no knocking or clattering when the guage reads close to zero. I don't know what the OE guage read, because it never worked. What do you guys think? I am boggled. Any ideas or past experiences would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. The engine has all new bearings, including cam bearings. New cam, and crank was reground.

[ September 08, 2003, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: spiderman ]

[brent]

When you say "replaced pump gears" you got a rebuild kit for the oil pump?
Is the oil pressure fluctuation affecting engine performance?
Gives us a place to start anyway--Brent

[tuckers89GW]

what about the pressure relief spring? did you replace that with a new one?

[turtlejoe]

Start with a new or known to be good oil pressure gauge to see what you really have. As mentioned, did you change the relief spring when you rebuilt/replaced the pump gears? Did you use the correct pump cover gasket? The (proper) gasket is critical to good pressure and I believe measures .010 thk if memory serves - it should have been included in the rebuild kit. It could be that the little relief plug is sticking too.

If your pressure is still low after all of that, you may want to check the pickup screen to see if it's caked with crud. I believe it was the Preacher who solved his pressure problem by thoroughly cleaning the pickup and screen along with the oil pan, many moons ago.

That's all I've got - I haven't actually done any of this on mine so I'm hoping if I've led you astray someone can straighten us both out.

Good luck! ;)

[ September 09, 2003, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: turtlejoe ]

[spiderman]

I replaced my pickup tube and screen. In the rebuild. Yes I got a oil pump kit. It had the correct gasket. The guage is new, only been run on the vehicle for 1-2 weeks of driving. When the oil presure drops, there is no difference in engine performance. No new noises or anything. I think i will warranty the guage (it is a cheap one), and get a better one. That is if I can find my receipt.