Hi there,
I have a question about my rebuilt 261 engine and oil pressure. I'm questioning my gauge at the moment, but want to ensure what's 'normal' on these engines.
I have a rebuilt 1955 261 with no filter. It now has 1700 miles on it. I currently am running straight 30W in it and when it's cold, I will get close to 60lbs pressure in it. When it starts getting warm, it will drop to about 30lbs, and when it's really hot (on our 100 degree days) it will go down to nearly nothing on my 0-60lb gauge when i'm running about 2000RPM. When I rev it up, it does come up off of 0, but barely much - after running it for 30 minutes or more.
The engine had a complete overhaul 10 over on the bottom, new cam bearings, new pistons, new melling oil pump (for better or worse) crank bearings, etc. I am getting oil to the top of the rockers, but I didn't replace the rocker arm shafts. I'm wondering if my shafts are worn so badly it's affecting my oil pressure - and if so - should I replace them? When I got the motor, it had the infamous external oil line run from the side of the block to the passenger side of the head with a 'T' on it.
If replacing the rocker arm shafts is the next step, which rocker arm shafts do I purchase? I have a 235 "848" head on the truck now. I also have the "pinched" return oil line on the rocker arm shaft (NOS)
The motor sounds great and runs just fine - I'm just concerned about the hot oil pressure, valve train is a little noisy, but it's a solid lifter setup and I have nothing to compare it to!
What else can I check (or am I going to have to start checking bearings next)
Thanks
Last edited by pplummer; 07/22/2012 2:55 PM.
