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1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:04 am
by Tony G
Oil pressure very low 3-4 # when started cold sometimes but others it jumps right up to 30-40 PSI , before I tear into it does anyone have an idea what may be the cause , " new filter. good gauge, correct oil level ". you can actually hear a lifter tapping until the pressure comes up. It could take up to 4 minutes for the pressure to rise when this happens, but it doesn't do it all of the time .

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:51 am
by Bilge Rat
A few possibilities here:

What grade oil are you running in it?

Oil pump may be worn, losing it's prime if it sits for a couple of days. Pick up screen might be partially plugged up with sludge.

Not sure what the 283 has for a pump pressure adjustment but could be something wrong with that.

If you're sure the gauge is good, worn out bearings but that should always show low pressure.

4 minutes of low pressure is way too long to be running the engine. The noisy lifter is telling you so (if it's truly the noise).

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 3:55 pm
by John Justice
Is there a diagnostic procedure that would identify the problem before disassembling the bottom end of the engine? Maybe remove the oil pan access panel, spin the oil pump with a primer tool, and look for oil flow or swirling oil?

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 5:11 am
by mfine
You can pull the distributor and spin the oil pump.

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:15 am
by Bilge Rat
Since its a Chevy engine, there are oil pump priming tools available that use the distributor opening to spin just the oil pump using a drill without turning the engine over. A old distributor with a modified shaft would do the same thing.

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:47 am
by Greg Wallace
Have you tried that on a "flywheel forward"?

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:32 am
by John Justice
Tony, are you asking for things to look for as the engine is being disassembled? I'm not sure that there is anything that could cause the problem that could be fixed without removing the oil pan.

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:08 pm
by mfine
Greg Wallace wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:47 am
Have you tried that on a "flywheel forward"?
Yes. The oil pump does not care which way the engine is facing or the direction of crank rotation. The distributor always spins in the same direction and always drives the oil pump in the same direction.

BTW, the tool I have was a large inexpensive screw driver from TSC with the handle cut off so it will fit in the chuck of a cordless drill.

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:52 pm
by jim g
If its a flywheel forward engine. You would pull the tach drive not the distributor to spin the oil pump with a priming tool.

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 7:39 am
by Greg Wallace
Jim wins the cookie.

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 1:36 pm
by Tony G
Thanks for all the input, FYI when spinning the pump with a priming tool it does not allow you to build pressure because with the tack drive removed there is an open oil gallery passage , you can see the oil pumping but you will not build pressure. Found my problem to be a broken ring and scored cylinder wall and general wear, now totally rebuilt and purring like a kitten.

Re: 1959 CC Ski 18' 283 has low oil pressure when started cold some times but others it jumps right up to 30-40.

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 3:59 pm
by jim g
Tony G wrote:
Wed Jan 09, 2019 1:36 pm
Thanks for all the input, FYI when spinning the pump with a priming tool it does not allow you to build pressure because with the tack drive removed there is an open oil gallery passage , you can see the oil pumping but you will not build pressure.
Incorrect. You were probably spinning it the wrong direction or a worn out pump.