Help!

lewismc · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 10:08 AM

On my way to work today I pulled up to a stop light and noticed my engine sounded a little "funny". Like I had developed a header leak. When I looked at my engine oil I had about 1-5 psi if I were lucky.

(1). I ran my car ~1/4 mile before I realized what had happened. How long is "too" long to run a motor with little to no oil pressure?

(2). I going to pull my oil pan and check for damage. Which main bearing would be best to pull and inspect for damage?

(3). What about the top end? I'm running a solid lift roller cam.

This is a 351C 4V motor with less than 2k miles on a fresh rebuild.

Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Lew

lnfletcher · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 02:20 PM

You didn't say why you lost oil pressure. I have run an engine to the point of lockup with very little damage. It really depends on where the pressure loss was load on the engine and for how long as far as I understand it.

lewismc · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 04:16 PM

Alright. For all those who are interested I've figured what happened.
The rocker arm for the intake on cyl. 4 broke. Actually, the adjustment nut for the rocker arm (solid lift) broke into 3 pieces. I remember reading (recently) about a couple of other members that experience this part coming loose and falling off.

The allan head set screw that holds the nut in place was free to bounce around and clogged the rear oil return. The pass. side valve cover must have filled with oil starving my engine resulting in low-to-no oil pressure.

Anyway, now that STUPID set screw is stuck clogging my rear oil return. No. A coat hanger is not strong enough to poke it out. Been there done that.

BTW. Motor oil tastes like SH!T. I had a drop drip into my mouth when I was under the car trying to poke out that STUPID set screw.

Off for some mexican martinis to prime myself for Indy tomorrow!!!!

go300mph · #4 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 08:40 PM

You have probably gotten the screw head loose by now but if not what about sticking the wire from a MiG to the screw head, set MIG up hot and pull trigger then touch screw head at same time as releasing trigger, hold for a second and then draw some wire and snip off then pulllllllllll. I can do it all the time when I am not trying to, it is tricky when you are trying to do purposely but it is very strong when it works pull dents out of cars using this method all the time. Be sure to disconnect the battery and any computers first, good luck
Mick