Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

[f_inscreenname]

After putting the top end of my Mopar 360ci together for the third time I got a little inpatient. I had it together and in the water running 4 hours later. The way the aluminum intake installs you doesn’t use the end seals you use a bead of RTV sealant. Well I don't think it was fully dry and it started blowing out oil from between the block and intake after a minute. Needing to know if I solved a number of other problems (like I said this is the third time I have put it together this spring) I jury rigged it to stop the oil blow out (filling the gap a rolled up piece of paper towels and some RTV) and ran the rest of my tests and everything was great till I went for a mile or so turning the motor at 32 to 3400rpms then came to a stop. Not to fast ware there would be an oil pick up problem. At idle the oil pressure dropped to 20lbs from 60lbs and valve train started to chatter. This went on for 60 to 90 seconds before it went completely away and the oil pressure returned to its normal 45 to 50lbs. I also noticed when the oil pressure was rising the needle on the gage was bouncing back and forth by 5lbs as it rose. I ran it a couple times to test a couple of theories and found if I gave it a little gas (about 1000 to 1200rpm’s) for 15 to 20 seconds after a run the chatter would not happen or if I slowed down gradually (3400rpm’s to idle over 45 to 60 seconds) no chatter. Now I know my intake seal was not the best and I plan on replacing it today. Then I will let it set for a couple days so the sealer will fully dry this time.<br /> So I don't chew off the rest of my nails over the next couple days. Do you think the bad seal would cause the low oil pressure?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

Do you think the bad seal would cause the low oil pressure?

Sorry,<br />But I Really Doubt there's Any connection at All........

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

Are you sure that you didn't put the head gasket on the right way? Sometimes you need to pay attention to detail by making sure the gasket is not blocking any oil or water passages. <br /><br />Since you have run the engine and the valves started chattering, pull off the valve covers to see if you are getting oil up there. Maybe start it up for a few second run, if there is no oil being pumped up to the top of the head, my thought is that you have a severly blocked or clogged oil passage. <br /><br />Just a thought to think about...Good Luck

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

I know you don't think it's a pickup problem, but depending on how much oil blew out of the intake seal, you might just be low and when you stop the boat the oil is not reaching the pickup sufficiently since there isn't enough in the pan. Have you checked the oil level? Sounds like this may be the problem, especially since if you stop very gradually (and the oil doesn't pool in the front of the pan) the problem does not occur. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

Is there a posability that you overfilled the engine with oil? Sounds like you may be experiencing foaming of the oil, hence the fluctuation of the guage and valve clater.<br /><br />Another thing might be, did you install a high volume oil pump with this rebuild, If so you might be pumping too much oil topside and it isnt returning quickly enough.<br /><br />Just thinking.<br /><br />Bondo is right, not an issue.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

Thanks for your help guys but the leaking intake is the least of my problems. Adjusting my rocker arm shafts I broke off a bolt inside the head. Then I drilled it and used a E Z out that promptly broke inside the bolt. By the time I got it out I pretty much trashed the head and with all the other problems I have had I think I will take a breather and start all over again. This is a hard pill to swallow, to be one the safe side I am going to pull to motor and take it apart again so I can make sure there is no oil passages blocked and maybe a different oil pump. Dose that means I have to waist all my new rings and bearing, total rebuild a month and a half ago or can I take it apart and put it back together again with no problems?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

Oh Wow.......<br />Man,<br />I Hate when That Happens.........<br />

or can I take it apart and put it back together again with no problems?

You Should just need Gaskets..........<br />The Rings can barely be seated.....<br />The Bearings.... Oil's Pretty Critical.... Probably All Right.......<br /><br />It's the Time,<br />That I Hate................ <br /><br />Good Luck,+ Keep Us Posted...................

 

[Rick Byers]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

The rings and bearings should be okay. If you are planning on reusing the bearings make certain that they stay with the rods in the cap or rod upper that they come out of. The wear set has already taken set on the bearing. Also the main bearings need to stay with there respective caps and block journal. I assume no responsibilty for anyones use of this information. Rick

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

Yea It was near perfect when I put it away last year. Before I even started it this spring I did a complete rebuild with a lot of upgrades. says something about the saying “If it aint broke don't fix it”. So far I have burned up a brand new set of roller rockers and shafts ($250.00), bent valve, bent (3) push rods, use three sets of head, intake and exhaust gaskets and I am still chasing gremlins. After all the oil changes I am sure Exxon will show a bigger profit this quarter. I think is there something wrong (a restriction) from the oil pump to the top of the motor. Works fine in the driveway but under load there must not be enough flow. Now that I have the original rockers on there should be no difference then the way it was last year but there is. It is sad to say but I think my boating season is over before it began. I couldn't even think asking the wife for more money out of our budget for more parts, at least not this week. Ha ha.<br /> The saddest news I got today was the swirl port heads I bought two years ago (best LA Mopar small block heads available) are not what they are supposed to be. The machine shop I took them to said they are basic small block heads with no performance value at all. I guess now I trashed one it doesn't matter but this sure has been a suckey day.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

The main thing I was worried about was the molly rings. For that matter I have all the gaskets (cheaper to buy a full set then individuals, done it 3 times) except the head gaskets. Looks like I have enough to get the party started for next couple weeks pulling and redoing the bottom end. Not having to buy new bearings and rings makes it about free. I just have to rent that dam motor hoist again. In the mean time I will see if I can find a set of heads??? I would rather be working toward a solution even if I don't have all the parts. Makes me fell like there is hope I will be done one day or at least there is a plan to be done one day. This still totally sucks. I guess that is what you get when you are pulling 320HP out of a 360ci motor and when you add Mopar you always have to add a extra zero to the price. I should have change it over to a Chevy when I started, to late now. <br /> Thanks all for your help but there is more problems here then met the first eye. I just have to bite the bullet and confess that I must have done something wrong or overlooked something and fix it and forget it. Thanks again

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Will a bad intake gasket lower oil pressure?

Originally posted by LubeDude:<br /> Is there a posability that you overfilled the engine with oil? Sounds like you may be experiencing foaming of the oil, hence the fluctuation of the guage and valve clater.<br /><br />Another thing might be, did you install a high volume oil pump with this rebuild, If so you might be pumping too much oil topside and it isnt returning quickly enough.<br /><br />Just thinking.<br /><br />Bondo is right, not an issue.