my new 79 wagon

[84dragcutlass]

Thanks Jack, i didnt think of older SS stuff for the sides

 

[84dragcutlass]

Final touches before first fireup this weekend!

 

[84dragcutlass]

Fired the engine up for the first time last night. Some fine tuning left to go but it lopes real nice and sounds healthy. Does seem to have to have a noise at low rpm that I think is the older fuel in the now higher compression engine. Sounds like a knock/low clattering sound that im thinking is some slight detonation. Now here is my problem. I have an electronic oil pressure gauge and I cant get a reading out of it. Seems to be getting oil up to the top end but the gage is just sitting on zero. Not real sure what to do about it but ive got to get that figured out before I break in the cam. Could it be possible that the passage on the back of the block could get clogged up? I had the same issue when the motor was in stock form in the cutlass, the mechanical oil pressure gage would read zero

 

[84dragcutlass]

Nobody?

 

[84dragcutlass]

After more investigation i have no oil pressure. Go figure the one thing on the engine i didnt replace.... So tonight ill take the distributor back out and see if i can spin the pump with my drill and get any pressure and if not then i have a bad pump. If i can get pressure with the drill i have and issue with the distributor gear and the pump

 

[O. D. Showtime]

Well that's a bummer Josh. I'm sure you'll get it figured. Motors looking good in there!

 

[liquidh8]

Did you put a mechanical gauge in there to be sure it wasn't the electrical gauge being faulty? If so, did you put the mechanical gauge down at the pressure tap by the oil filter?

 

[84dragcutlass]

Well at first i thought it was the sending unit or my wiring skills for sure that was the cause of the gauge reading zero. However none of the rockers are getting oil like i thought they were previously. So no pressure on the gauge and no oil in the top end is telling me for sure i have a major problem. Thanks Kevin, i will admit that it is one good looking engine bay especially when i think about the state it was in when i got it, unfortunatly good looks arent doing me any good at this point 😳

 

[84dragcutlass]

Well looks like the oil pump broke where the drive shaft and oil pump come together. So hopefully ill get this thing tore down and get the pump and shaft replaced by the weekend and be able to fire it up and get it broke in with actual oil pressure

 

[pencero]

While you're busy being mad / disappointed just be thankful you didn't go out on a lengthy test drive and ruin the engine. At least you did good troubleshooting and figured everything out!