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« on: January 29, 2024, 08:57:52 AM »
Background: 351 C in a 1970 Mach 1. A couple weeks ago, while driving the car, I noticed my oil pressure gauge needle climb to the “H” on the scale. Car runs fine, doesn’t overhead. Oil and filter changed a short while ago. Running 10W-30 Mobile synthetic.
First, I changed oil and filter again in case the filter was clogged up. Gauge still reads “H”. Next, I installed new oil pressure sending unit at the block. Started up and the oil pressure gauge needle still resting on the “H”. Then I pulled the sending unit from the block and installed a test oil pressure gauge that actually reads pounds of pressure. At engine start up over 74 LBS pressure. After full warm-up, the gauge still high, around 62-64 LBS. After a few laps around the block, oil pressure stays above 60 LBS while driving and falls back to 40 at idle. Next, I replaced the oil pump with a new Melling unit, 84A as recommended by the tech at Melling’s hot line. No change in oil pressure reading, darn it. Another longer test drive again, and upon close inspection, it appears that the engine is pushing a little oil out, either at the distributer seal, or the front of the intake gasket. This is as far as I can go with my limited knowledge of engines. Oil passageways plugged. Any advice appreciated before I pull the engine. The engine sounds fine and makes no noises like its lacking lubrication anywhere. Feel free to PM me if you’d like to discuss my dilemma or call me 864-321-0248. Thanks in advance, Denny