All,
This photo may be too small to see, but it is the copper flakes I found in the
oil filter.
Checking with a magnetic, there are almost no ferrous particles...tear down will tell.
Plan to pull the pan and caps, or just pull the engine and get it on a stand. Engine has to come out anyway.
Of course hoping no crank damage, etc. How to clean roller lifters,
oil cooler and thermostat, lines, etc ? Not sure you can ever clean a
oil cooler, but if its copper swarf and not steel, I may take a chance...
The engine was at 16,000 miles and quite tight...total cleaning and new rings and valve job seem in order. Just hate to throw away roller lifters, rockers, etc. Will take it one step at a time, and do it right with out throwing money at it.
Was talking to a friend with years of vintage racing in a GT-350, Cobra, Lola-Ford and he said a huge mistake to use 10-30 on the track as no margin for error with a starved bearing. I am not so sure, if you have good oil pressure and quality oil, seems it should be ok. That is open for discussion.
Now, I still do NOT know why the oil pressue goes away one day, and the next day its normal again. It DOES appear there is very significant bearing wear.
Pete