Need Help, no oil pressure.

[SilverBullit]

I was driving home a short while ago and when I looked at my oil pressure gauge (Autometer Ultra-Lite) it went to zero. I was only about a 1/2 mile away from my house and managed to get home. I checked the gauge and wiring to the sending unit and tickered with it a bit and still no pressure. I just took off the sending unit and the shaft the it goes on inspecting it for clogs etc. and have found none. There wasn't that much oil in either the shaft or the sending unit. I also pulled the distributor to make sure the oil pump shaft hadn't broke and it seemed to be alright. How do I check the pump? Is there any other problems that might of happened?

Thanks
Casey

 

[PRO50SC]

Did the engine start making noise from no oil pressure? Could have done some internal damage. Need to get a mechanical gauge and intall to check the pressure. may just have a sending or gauge problem if the mechanical test looks ok.

 

[SilverBullit]

Alright I'll need to do that, the engine runs fine no noises or anything. I've started it up a few times and it starts fine idles fine etc. The oil level is also normal. I'm not to sure on what to do.

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

I'm not to sure on what to do.

First thing, DO NOT run the engine anymore until you install a mechanical gauge to test the pressure. The instant you lost pressure you should have shut the engine off. Of course this isn't the easiest thing to do if you are on the interstate, but if you are in a safe area you should pull over and check out everything first. It could save you a thousand dollars or more.

 

[dastang2]

your lifters should be ticking now if you have now oil pressure, especially after driving it 1/2 a mile and running to check things afterwards. that is why i have a mechanical gauge, it may leak sometimes but i would rather have that than a locked up engine.

 

[SilverBullit]

How difficult is it to change the oil pump. Do I just need to lift up the motor and unbolt the pan? Will I have enough access to the pump to change it?

 

[Smokedawg]

I lost all oil pressure on mine a couple months ago with only 1K on the mellings pump. Like everyone else has said, DO NOT START THE CAR!!! hook up a mechanical gauge. Pull the distributor and get a fitting for your drill so it will attach to the oil pump shaft and try that. After the pump starts building pressure it should bog your drill down a little. Then take a look at the mechanical gauge while still spinning the shaft and see what you have. I tried swapping out the pump with the motor in the car. I jacked up the motor about 1-1 1/2 in and thats all I could go before my 3550 bell hit the body. I ended up pulling the motor and its a good thing...The oil gally plug had fell out on mine..

-Smoke

 

[livenfine]

I just had the same thing happen during this last weekend's autocross. Pulled the distributor and the broken oil shaft. It was twisted and then snapped. Pulling the pan this weekend and deciding what's the next step.

The difference is that I immediately heard my lifters ticking, there was no doubt that I lost pressure. If you didn't hear that, I'd suspect you just have a sensor issue...

If you did snap a shaft like me, here's what I've heard. Oil pumps don't usually just seize up for no reason. Something got in to the pump to cause the lock up. A mechanic friend with 30+ years experience says it's almost always valve guide seals. They can be changed without lifting the heads but likely there are pieces still in the engine that will seize your pump again.

As far as pulling the pan, I changed my motor mounts last month and I barely got the engine up high enough for that, much less pulling the entire pan. Has anyone ever pulled the K-member to access the pan???

 

[SilverBullit]

Does anyone know if Summit warranties these oil pumps that come in their kits? Is there anyway of getting one cheaper from them or should I just go to the local engine building shop and get one? Is there anymore feedback on changing one of these?

 

[wisconsinboy]

As far as pulling the pan, I changed my motor mounts last month and I barely got the engine up high enough for that, much less pulling the entire pan. Has anyone ever pulled the K-member to access the pan???

its a bitch not highly reccomended

 

[SilverBullit]

I changed the oil pump with a brand new Ford one. I put everything back together primed the oil pump and such and started it up and still no pressure. The lifters are also now ticking. Does anybody now what problem this might be?

 

[dastang2]

are you totally sure that the pump shaft is connected to the dizzy. did you change you oil filter, maybe something went haywire inside.

 

[Smokedawg]

I changed the oil pump with a brand new Ford one. I put everything back together primed the oil pump and such and started it up and still no pressure. The lifters are also now ticking. Does anybody now what problem this might be?

Did you check what I suggested??? Oil galley plug...

 

[SilverBullit]

What is the oil galley plug? I did change the oil filter and oil when I did the pump too.

 

[Smokedawg]

The oil galley plug is under the timing chain cover. There are 2 or 3 of them around the cam...If one of those fall out, you loose oil pressure..

-Smoke

 

[SilverBullit]

Is that the machine shops fault when putting them in? Should they be responcible?

 

[Smokedawg]

Depends on if they warranty their work..

-Smoke