1978 Chevy Camaro low oil pressure

1978 CHEVROLET CAMARO
42,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ICYONE
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hello,i just recently built a 350 for my camaro and now i have it running im having a problem with the oil pressure.When i first start it and its cold im getting around 60-70 pounds of oil pressure but after it warms up the pressure drops to around 7-10 pounds and the oil light comes on while ideling but as soon as you touch the gas it shoots right back up and the light goes off,i have both mechanical guage and oil light,what could be the problem...stats are motor has less than 25 miles on it and im using 20w-50 oil
Nov 4, 2010 at 11:56 AM
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RASMATAZ
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Hi icyone, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Did you put on a crankshaft kit or you have the crankshaft reground and use undersize bearings-is it knocking?

Could be excessive engine bearing clearances or the oil pressure relief valve sticking or air in it
Nov 4, 2010 at 3:36 PM
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ICYONE
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i bought the short block already done..new bearings,crank,pistons rods,if i shut off the car and let it cool down i can restart it with around 60 p.s.,i and there is no noise from the motor only after it runs for a little bit the pressure drops to almost 0 and you can start to hear a faint knock
Nov 4, 2010 at 3:47 PM
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ICYONE
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i have noticed that the distributor is in and i have it clamped down but you can still wiggle it a little would that have anything to do with it?
Nov 4, 2010 at 3:55 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Sounds like engine bearings to me
Nov 4, 2010 at 3:55 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Remove the distributor and inspect the oil pump drive gear-BTW did you prime the oil pump before you start it-
Nov 4, 2010 at 3:58 PM
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ICYONE
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would it be a good idea to try a new oil pump before i tear the motor out and dissamble it
Nov 4, 2010 at 4:00 PM
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ICYONE
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i primed the oil pump before assembly i also primed the engine before i started it
Nov 4, 2010 at 4:02 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Yes it does and try and get a high volume pump aand make sure you prime it before you fire it up
Nov 4, 2010 at 4:02 PM
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ICYONE
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ok i will get a high volume pump for it and yes i will make sure to prime the engine...will advise you of progress
Nov 4, 2010 at 4:06 PM