Had many Buicks. Used to 2-3 sec. cold or hot oil lights. Changed oil to 15-40 rotella w/STP blue bottle, with ac filter. No real change. Engine was just rebuilt before I purchased this 69 skylark conv. There is no ticking or knocking, but I can tell/hear that oil light is correct-ish.
Where was the oil pump gear end play set to during the rebuild? If you are also running an oil pressure gauge, what readings do you get at cold idle, hot idle, and hot 5000 rpm? If you don't have one installed, do so and report back. Devon
Sorry, 2-3 sec. cold, 10 sec. hot oil light now. New oil. 500 miles on 350, as far as I know. Red flag...orange rtv on oil pump housing!!!!
X2, have someone THAT KNOWS how to set up a Buick oil pump properly disassemble yours, set the proper clearances and reassemble. #2, get that thick 15/40 oil outta there! If the engine was rebuilt with the proper clearances 10/30 oil is all that should be needed, 15/40 is a bandaid to sloppy clearances, and is another reason the oil light takes a bit to turn off on start-up, the thicker oil is harder to push thru the passages.
I agree the thicker oil is covering other issues. Could be a pump problem or possible the the rebuild was more of a refresher. Rings and lower bearings but no cam bearing replacement. Front bear has the load of the distributer,oil pump,fuel pump and timing chain in front of it. It also if first bearing to see oil so if clearance is bad oil problems will be there. I would start with the easier job of setting up oil pump with booster plater and proper gear to plate clearance. Also use white spring with plate. 60 psi relief.stock is 40.
Preferred clearance is .002. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?270675-oil-pump-clearance&highlight=oil+pump+end+clearance
