350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

i have a 1967 camaro with a 350 .30 over that for a good while ran like a champ. recently while driving my oil pressure dropped from a healthy 40-55 to about 3-15. this happens about 10-15 mins of regular driving. during the starting 10-15 mins there is no problem what so ever. i changed the oil and oil filter twice to see if that might be the problem but i proved to be wrong. i will be honest to the fact that i am not extremly knowledgable engines but do know the basics. any help would be so apreciated fore taking it to a shop and getting my wallet raided has already happened and am not looking foreward to doin it again.
thanks in advance,
marshall

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

What kind of gauge do you have, mechanical or electric? If you have an electric, it's possible that the sending unit in the block is faulty. With such a drastic drop, I would suspect a faulty gauge before the engine. Although it's possible that it's an engine or oil pump issue, I would start with the easier, cheaper thing.

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

i believe the gauge to be mechanical because i felt the back of it nd felt oil residue. if that doesnt show what kind it is how would i find out? also it happend at about the same time everytime i have ran it (3 times) about 10-15 mins. either way i will get the gauge replaced be it mechanical or electric. thnx hopefully that will fix it

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

perhaps the oil screen in the pan is clogged up?

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

i feel very stupid asking but where doi find the oil screen, and how do i remove it? (i figure it is in the oil pump somewhere?)

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

The screen is attached to the oil pick up which is attached to the pump. You have to pull the oil pan off to get to it you cant really getthe screen outif its a stock style pump you could remove the pump take it apart and flush it out. Or replace it with a new pump assembly they are fairly cheap it that is the problem. I would check the guage first as suggested.

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

If the gauge is stock, you have an electric gauge (change the sending unit). If its mechanical, you will see an 1/8 tube of copper or clear plastic that connects to the back of the gauge.
If it is mechanical, disconnect it and connect it to a new gauge and check the pressure. Mechanical gauges can give false readings if dirt or gunk has reached it.

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

And.....if you have a mechanical gauge with the plastic hose, remove that piece of junk and replace it with a copper line. Aftermarket mechanical oil gauges usually come with the cheap-o plastic tubing, which could eventually break and make one nice mess!

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

Interesting you mentioned that, because I just changed the plastic tubing to a copper one because I noticed some heat warpage at the tube base where it connects to the block. Changed that real fast!

RE: 350 .30 over oil pressure drop HELP!
 

Had the exact same problem a few years back... Mine was due to the oil pump. Pulled it twice to check bearing clearances thinking it was bleeding off pressure and to make sure galley plugs were in. Pulled it the third time and took the pump apart to find scars in the gears and the housing.

Id throw a new oil pump and pick-up in it to start with