Pre-Lube Is Going Strange; Pressure Rise and Drop

[Blown&Injected]

I have never had a problem doing this until now. The pump primed in about 5 - 9 seconds, the drill bogged down and the oil pressure gauge began to rise. But then the drill motor speed up with no drag and the oil pressure started to fall???

I kept going and the oil pressure made it to 40 psi then dropped off again for about 5 seconds then on again for about 5 seconds this repeated about 12 times before I stopped. When I have done this with my car and several V8's, once the drill bogged down, it stayed down and the pressure stayed up. I hit about 50 psi

What could cause this rise and fall?

Thanks for your help.

 

[slimtastic]

the only thing i could think to guess is too little oil in the pan. much past that i dont know

 

[turbodave231]

Pickup sucking air?

 

[Blown&Injected]

New GM pick up - I have a new Mellings pick up that I did not use because it was shorter; like low oil in the pan.

I put 6 qts of oil in the engine, the big valve covers may be holding more oil??? The dip stick was reading 1/2 way into the cross hatch area with just 5 qts. 6 put it just over the full line.

HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am using the aftermarket front cover. I already found some heavy porosity in the, is it Silver Seal? cover? I also found a puddle of oil under the car - leaking near the oil pump bolts.

BTW, this was put together on a stand - super clean and all bolts torqued to factory specs.

Now I wonder if my stock crank died due to the new cover - I did not pre lube it like a fresh rebuild but now, with the drill motor in my hand, I can feel some weirdness that might not be noticed on the gauge while driving due to the varying rpm's.

I think I need to ditch the Silver Seal cover and find a stock front cover.

Man this sucks but at least I did not fire up a new engine with this issue.

EVERYTHING along the way has had an issue - GOT TO CHECK EVERYTHING because it will not be OK
:frown:

 

[83ttypecooled]

oil pressure

Hi,
If you don't already have one hooked up, put an analog test gauge on the car and prime it again. I suspect you have a pressure relief valve problem.Good call on your part not to start the engine. Since all this stuff is accessible externally, you may yet be able to fix the problem without major surgery. I had an FWD Buick give me hell with an similar problem.Please keep us posted, and good luck!

 

[49-blues]

I got a good used stock front cover for you if you need it.$75.shipped.

 

[Blown&Injected]

thanks for the offer, will try to figure this one out first but may be calling