boosting oil pressure on a 350

is there a way, without buying anything (yet) to boost oil pressure on a sbb 350?

ive stretched the spring a tad and it helped but isnt enough. i suppose i could stretch it some more. TA has a 350 hi-volume kit for $75 but im honestly too broke to pick it up yet.

basically if the motor idles long enough the lifters will start to make some noise. im getting 6-8psi at idle and 40psi or so at driving speed. i think if i could get it to 10psi at idle id be good

if the lifters start making noise and you start to drive it the noise goes away which tells me its just a low pressure thing and not bad lifters etc.

also im running 10-30 (cause i had an extra case) castrol gtx. you think thats too light for an engine with unknown miles? its been 60-70*F lately and i usually run 20-50. i have some lucas oil additive in there as well

 

if all you want is higher pressure then you dont need to spend big money for a hv pump. just get a spring. i got a melling oil pump kit for a 300 one time and it came with new gears, gaskets, valve, and 40 and 60psi springs, for less then 25 bucks.:TU: i used the 40 because i didnt want to erode away the bearings or make the engine leak. if i can find the box with the spring i could mail you the 60psi spring if you want:Brow:

 

sounds like overkill lol. i see TA has a booster plate kit thats would work nicely for $20

 

Use the adjustable oil presure regulator, easy addition.

 

TA says it doesnt boost pressure at idle. you need the booster plate kit to do that. costs the same. i may go ahead and buy that then

 

Easy,
First, put a normal spring back in, and do this:
http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/buick-v6-turbo-tech/39169-how-build-front-cover-oil-pump.html

ElectraJim

 

Tighten up your gear side clearances so they turn freely but do not rub when torqued down to spec.. Thinnest gaskets you can get away with. You want about .002 side space. Take the front pump cover off and sand it flat and smooth on a surface plate (plate glass will work too). Use 400 grit, then down to 600 or less till it shines!:TU: Pay close attention to any wear marks in housing or on gears. I even lightly sanded the gear sides, and took the same amount off the housing cover surface too. I am not running any booster plate, or adjustable regulator, and I have 20lb. at hot idle, 50/55lb at hot driving, Cold is 40lb, idle, 60lbs driving. Running Brad Penn 20/50w. The Green Oil , with zinc already in there.:laugh: Go on the Turbo Buick website and they have all kinds of oil pump remedys:TU:

Marty

 

Yes, follow the link instructions from Electrajim's post, It's all good stuff!

 

Your oil pressure really is NOT bad at all. What is the max it will go up to?

If you need a little extra boost, use a thicker oil.

How many miles on the motor? Factory build, or rebuilt?

 

put some 20/50 in there

 

:3gears: :3gears: yep some fifty weight. thats all ive ever ran. even straight 50. even though ive rebuilt the engine about 4 yrs ago, ive always run restore it it. so because.

 

Why would you run straight 50? There is no benefit and you risk distributor gear/cam/cam bearing damage on cold startups. How much pressure does it make when cold?

20w/50 is fine.

 

Personally, I would try 10w-40, but you still need to tell us the build on the motor and mileage. Also max pressure:Smarty: :Smarty:

 

its a completely stock '69 buick 350 with unknown miles. im was getting 6-8psi at idle and 40psi or so at driving speed.

i altered the spring a bit and not i get 10-15 at idle and a max of 40psi and its a whole lot better. im gonna swap the oil to 20-50w though cause the 10-30 is honestly too light its just what i happened to have lying around at the time

 

what sort of alteration did you make?

 

It's a pressure relief spring. It only monitors MAX pressure and bleeds off the excess. That's all it does. Period.

 

:3gears: :3gears: i guess im lucky then. even with the staight 50 weight with the restore in it, its never chattered once. decent oil pressure, as far a sbb goes. i change the oil every spring, regardless of miles.

 

How do you increase idle oil pressure at pump without removing front timing cover?

 

If it's simply a matter of scored/worn gears or a gouged oil filter housing, two of the repairs already mentioned can be done with the front cover still on the engine. I'm referring to the TA booster plate and/or a new set of replacement gears.

It's not much fun trying to measure gear end clearance this way because gravity is fighting you, but it can be done.

Devon

 

Does anyone know if this part #P-20I is the same as TA's oil booster plate?

link: http://www.autozone.com/Ntt,p20i/shopping/allResults.htm