marrage councelor
Cadet
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2011
- Messages
- 15
Hello Master Mechanics, I put together a 2.3L this winter, I had low compression and a lot of blow by from my used boat. I had 2 cracks in the old block, found a short block and rebuilt, rings, bearings, head was taken to machine shop and rebuilt, I asked to make sure it was checked for cracks... So once the engine was put back together and started, all seemed good, except low oil pressure only about 12 to 15psi at idle and only about 20 as I reved the engine. Pulled pan off, took a close looked at the pulled oil pump, did not see any signs of wear, I did not replace the oil pump that I had used on the old motor but it had good oil pressure. I plasti gauged mains and rods and was within specs for this 88 between 2 and 3K clearances on rods and mains. I pulled timing belt and ran the pump with a cordless drill, I could feel the pump building pressure but it would not move the oil pressure gauge, I ran a straight line(unrestricted) from the oil gauge port to an open container to see how fast the oil would pump out using the drill. It was not much and I could stop the flow with my thumb over the hole. I did pull the valve cover off and with the drill did see oil coming from the cam shaft. BTW the engine did not have any unusual sounds. Any suggestions as to where to start looking, I have thought about tearing everything back down and checking all ports, on one note when I pulled it back apart after running the engine for less than an 1 1/2 the oil looked pretty yucky, I figured it was the assembly grease used. I have ordered a new oil pump. The only thing close to fit was an automotive 90's oil pump for the Mustang 2.3 engine. I do not see a easy way to pressure test the old pump other than machine a plate with a port and valve and pressure gauge... One stupid question, when priming the pump using the distributor removal method, is it normal for the oil to come up through the chamber in the aux. shaft compartment?
Thank you for your time to read this lengthy post.
Stephen.
Thank you for your time to read this lengthy post.
Stephen.