FlyFast

A couple of years ago when I rebuilt my sbc I adjusted the hydralic lifters cold. I did a compression check after adjusting them and had 160 in every cylinder. Is it possible that too tight lifters will cause low oil pressure?

I may try to adjust them running where you loosen them until they make noise and them tighten them a half turn.

Is it possible to have a lifter a little tight and loose oil pressure?

thanks

articfriends

iTrader: (1)

NO,you could burn a valve or bend/break one on piston but no way should it affect oil pressure. I have seen alot of guys put small blocks in boats and not use a oil cooler which could/would give you low oil pressure hot,are you running a engine oil cooler? Smitty

FlyFast

Smitty,

You are right. My alpha drive 350 from the factory never had a oil cooler. I still do not have a oil cooler and I know that would help. the oil pressure is fine cold and this is an engine hot problem. I run closed cooling and just went back to a 140 t-stat to keep the engine and the oil a bit cooler.

The motor runs good. My first motor had a exhaust valve seat fall from the head into the engine. The second build was short lived and this the third motor has lasted for a couple of years. On the third build i did have the crank cut and I think I am loosing oil presure some place else.

the other thing I do have a high volume oil pump. I have heard that some of these will put out a little lower oil pressure at idle.

the low oil pressure started with the high volume oil pump.

the motor is a vortec 355.

thanks