i have a 65 300 4bbl and it had low oil pressure before so i removed the front cover and installed a new melling high pressure pump. now it has great pressure, 60 psi 2500+ rpm and about 20 - 30 at idle. the only thing is after sitting for a while, a couple of hours or more it takes a while for the pressure to build up, especially when sitting for a few days or more. it can take 5 seconds or more for the gauge to start moving. once it gets it, it's fine. ihave 15-40 oil in it now.anyone else seen this? i have had a sbb before and don't remember it being this slow. the car will get a 455 after this summer so i don't want to do anything extensive.
here's where your pressure shud be... Normal oil pressure is 33lbs. @ 2400 RPM not sure about your pump...but am sure someone more knowledgable will help you out:TU: Mark TSF
Paul does your current oil filter have an anti drainback valve? sounds like maybe it doesnt or it isnt working properly. also i would be carefull running a high pressure pump and thick oil. you can just as easily wipe out a distributor gear and front cam bearing in a 300 as you can a 455 by using that combination
i was thinking about a drainback valve but i am unsure. it has a wix on it, not sure which #. what ones have that valve? i know an ac delco 1218 is the one for a sbc.
WIX 51258 I think this is the one you want with the valve. http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=51258 ElectraJim
paul, first of all, you used too stiff of a spring. ive used several melling pump kits on 300 and 340s with only the 40 lb spring, and even that is overkill. with too much pressure, you will wash away the bearings. with todays oils, the industry standard is 5 lbs of pressure for every 1000 rpms on a properly working engine. it used to be 10 lbs. how many miles on the engine? in my opinion, your oil is wayyy to thick, especially for the area your in, and im sure thats what is causing your problem. good luck:beer
