Topic: Low Oil Pressure! Please read now
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
What he said...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
On the older cars, yeah...usually it is...I guess I shoulda mentioned that, but...it all depends, I guess, on if it has been moved, or the engine has been replaced by a later model that doesn't have the tap in the top rear by the dist. It should be on the top side, by the distributor on the '70, tho... Hope that didn't create a problem, Bino....
Good catch there, John!
Good catch there, John!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Hey guys, thanks for all the information. I did have trouble finding the location you had talked about first down by the oil filter. We agreed to a price, but it was contingent on an inspection by a mechanic who would check the pressure.
We took it to a shop and the guy tested the pressure and yes it was on top close to the distributor like you guys specified in the later post.
well bad news....only 4 pounds of pressure!!!!!!!!! I was soo pissed, I could already picture myself driving the car. How bad is that? The deal was called off and I drove back home empty handed. The car drives great and there is no smoke. The oil pressure does not dip when you step on it, but it shoots up to about 35PSI
Please let me know how much I should ask for the price to be lowered or if it is even worth it.
The car is all original
Contact your mechanic and ask him how much to change the bearings and the pump, this can be done without removing the motor. (taking my time time it takes me about 4 hrs with another person giving me a hand for about 1 hr during install)Then adjust your offer accordingly. If you buy it... before you do the bearings drop the oil out of it...install new sae 30 oil with a quart of Lucas oil treatment, see what difference this makes, if it increased your pressure to a good reading you can then change the oil later and put in 10w30 synth with a quart of lucas and drive it, top rpm oil pressure is about 35-45 psi stock.
Don't tell the seller what you plan to do...offer him a price expecting to have to change the bearings and pump....when changing the pump now is the time to install a high volume pump.
Good Luck
John
Bino,
If you really like the car, an engine rebuild ain't crap compared to body work, rust, interior, etc. If it is a numbers matching motor, pulling it and rebuilding it will probably run in the 4 grand neighborhood. You're gonna need more than bottom end bearings to put it in top shape.
You can drive it for a purdy long time with a liquid rebuild consisting of a quart of Lucas and another quart of Slick 50 with an oil change. Drive her till she starts making nasty noises then pull the mill and rebuild or replace it.
A worn out mill is not a deal killer if you find a Vette you like otherwise. These things are always a lifelong project.
Dave
If you really like the car, an engine rebuild ain't crap compared to body work, rust, interior, etc. If it is a numbers matching motor, pulling it and rebuilding it will probably run in the 4 grand neighborhood. You're gonna need more than bottom end bearings to put it in top shape.
You can drive it for a purdy long time with a liquid rebuild consisting of a quart of Lucas and another quart of Slick 50 with an oil change. Drive her till she starts making nasty noises then pull the mill and rebuild or replace it.
A worn out mill is not a deal killer if you find a Vette you like otherwise. These things are always a lifelong project.
Dave
in Forum: C3 Engines
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