I just finished a big build-up for my car and have about 3,500 miles on it: Rebuilt engine, added a Hotcam, 1.6RR's, new lifters, pushrods, shortie Hooker headers and lost the AIR and EGT.

Now, when I go to a hard stop, the oil pressure drops. I notice it especially after I've just driven hard, but it happens almost all the time I stop quickly. If I coast and brake very gradually, the pressure stays where it should be. I can rev it a little bit, and the pressure comes right back up.

I had someone suggest the Oil Sending Unit, but that was replaced during the rebuild. Someone else suggested a new oil pan w/ baffles in it, but I've lowered the car and added a new Y-pipe...that'll be fun. Additionally, the thought was made that since it's a bigger (than factory) cam, it's stealing vacuum from the engine and it's just something I'll have to live with. Anybody else have any thoughts?

Fred

 

did you put the pickup on the oil pump yourself? you might have angled it up too far and its not picking up the oil

 

no, I didn't do that part myself, the rebuild shop did that. The pick-up had crossed my mind. (Saw an episode of American Hotrod where the pickup was too close to the bottom of the pan and they had no oil pressure.)

No good way to check that, unfortunately.

 

is it a stock pressure gage? in my experience the gm oil pressure gauges are very faulty and the only way to fix that is get a new gauge and hook it up yourself so that you know its done right.

 

It is the factory gauge.... but I don't get why it would work under 'normal' use, but if I drive hard it has problems. I would think that any stop would cause it to drop or something, instead of in a certain situation.

 

perhaps the pickup fell out.

 

It is definitely the oil pump pickup tube. I just had this fixed myself. It's a very common problem for them to fall off, and you need to have it repaired right away. Get ready, it's not cheap if you're going to have a shop do it.

Edit: And for God's sake, don't rev the motor to get the oil pressure up after a hard stop!


GReg

 

well, maybe I can get a little warranty work done, since it's only been a few months. Thanks everybody!

 

i have the same problem...everytime i stop hard my pressure goes to 0... check other posts...almost everyone says the pickup fell off the oil pump... i wish i had the dough to fix mine right away... i just drive my car really really easy for now...

 

The shop that did my work is warrantying their work, so that's cool. Unfortunately, they've had the car a week and haven't touched it.

They're thinking that they can hook onto the engine, unhook from the motor mounts, pull the y-pipe and be able to pull the pan. Does this sound like a suitable approach?

Fred

 

Yes - that's how the dealer usually does it. They usually put an engine support fixture on the strut towers. : )

Greg