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Old 10-02-2022, 08:20 AM   #4
Bored&Stroked
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,240
Default Re: 59A Plodder: Low Oil pressure! Can I fix it?

Hey Mart: I know you want it to be okay, but it should not have that low of oil pressure unless something is wrong - no other way to say it other than that. You either have a bearing clearance problem or an issue with the oil pump drive at the back of the block. Did you happen to check the CAM bearings and journal sizes of the cam? I've seen at least three instances where the cam journals were ground .010 undersize, and when ran with STD bearings the engine will act just like the one you have.

On a recent 302 CI stroker, I had a cam reground to a Potvin 3/8, put it in the new engine and the oil pressure was acting just like yours does - especially when hot. I didn't let it run and decided there had to be an issue. I pulled it all apart and found the journal issue. I ALWAYS mic the cam journals - but this time I did not (my mistake). The journals were .010 under. So I just swapped the cam bearings to some .010 versions, and it immediately showed oil pressure as it should. 25 PSI at idle when hot and 60 PSI at higher RPMs.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I would not keep running that engine with that low of pressure - find out where the clearance or drive issue is.

Best of luck!
B&S
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