Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Fact...Low Pressure is generally caused by lack of volume! Water will cause no change in volume. Air will cause fluctuaction in volume due to molicule dispersement. Correct me if I am Wrong..

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

WOW.... There are SOME really good tech guys on here My hats off to you all!!!!!

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Water is generally thinner than oil and will show lower pressure I believe. Example is run a engine on 30 wt oil and note the pressure and then try water and I bet the pressure is much lower.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

OK, got the valve but which hole does it go into??.,as stated it can go in either hole but one has a shoulder and one doesnt..anyone???...help?????

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Al, I think some people are hesitant to help for fear they will be trivialized. Pms work best.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Al, according to what i have read. It goes in the hole closest to the block,or right behind the oil filter thread rod if you are running an oil cooler. So makes me believe the other hole if not running a oil cooler. I would contact your GM dealer or a GM TECH for a concrete answer. Roger

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
Al, according to what i have read. It goes in the hole closest to the block,or right behind the oil filter thread rod if you are running an oil cooler. So makes me believe the other hole if not running a oil cooler. I would contact your GM dealer or a GM TECH for a concrete answer. Roger

[/ QUOTE ]


Roger thats right..finally got a concrete answer from someone in the know..tech line gave me the wrong answer!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif..getting a second pressure reg tomorrow and will try again. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

ALber

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Alss, I removed my oil filter and it is the hole furthest from the block (the shallowest one to the step inside the hole). The one that is on the outside rail of the filter boss. Here is a photo of mine. You have to drive it in with a socket and take a chisel and put a small stake to secure it. [image]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...eliefvalve.jpg[/image]

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
Alss, I removed my oil filter and it is the hole furthest from the block (the shallowest one to the step inside the hole). The one that is on the outside rail of the filter boss. Here is a photo of mine. You have to drive it in with a socket and take a chisel and put a small stake to secure it. [image]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...eliefvalve.jpg[/image]

[/ QUOTE ]


Thats where I put it..still no difference..20-25psi at best cold..guess its coming out after all https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif..hope it aint hurt https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif..thanks to everyone for there help..especially 69SSZL1 for removing his oil filter ..messy job ..I've done it 3 times today! and TXSS for phone support Ill keep everyone posted as to the problem.

ALbert

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

OK... what about the 3 small (1/8") pipe plugs that go in the lifter valley?

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

****Not saying it is,*****but I had a similar problem years ago on a rebuild--low oil pressure --oil pressure would increase some if I brought up the rpms..but would drop very low once the rpms came down----------We wound up changing the defective cam bearings,,,,Note: this is a last resort..The bright side of this problem is that you caught it in time,......

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

You did put the relief valve in pointing the right way?

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Yes, wrong or loose cam bearings could do it. My machinist said the ZL-1 cam bearings were not standard BBC, he put in Dart Block bearings-Durabond HP cam bearings GMP-12. Just throwing things out there.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
You did put the relief valve in pointing the right way?

[/ QUOTE ]

OK which is the right way??..looked to be only one way but ......


also noticed when we were running the oil pump with a drill it never seemed to load up when it caught prime..Usually they really need some power to turn..this one never seems to prime and load the drill..maybe bad oil pump??

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, wrong or loose cam bearings could do it. My machinist said the ZL-1 cam bearings were not standard BBC, he put in Dart Block bearings-Durabond HP cam bearings GMP-12. Just throwing things out there.

[/ QUOTE ]

aware of the different cam bearings for this block..did buy the right one..but..we are going to re-check everything now..gonna pull some caps and make sure all is well

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You did put the relief valve in pointing the right way?

[/ QUOTE ]

OK which is the right way??..looked to be only one way but ......


also noticed when we were running the oil pump with a drill it never seemed to load up when it caught prime..Usually they really need some power to turn..this one never seems to prime and load the drill..maybe bad oil pump??

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes.

As stated previously,especially with cold oil the drill should kick back on you. If you aren't feeling that there there obviously is a problem. One thing you can do listen carefully because sometimes you will hear a gurgling or dripping sound where the oil pressure is being bled off. Are you running a roller cam in this motor? What type of lifter are you running??

If you would like to PM me I can carry you through this a little further. You also are more than welcome to call me at my shop (973)-267-4364.

MB

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You did put the relief valve in pointing the right way?

[/ QUOTE ]




As stated previously,especially with cold oil the drill should kick back on you. If you aren't feeling that there there obviously is a problem. One thing you can do listen carefully because sometimes you will hear a gurgling or dripping sound where the oil pressure is being bled off. Are you running a roller cam in this motor? What type of lifter are you running??

If you would like to PM me I can carry you through this a little further. You also are more than welcome to call me at my shop (973)-267-4364.

MB

[/ QUOTE ]

thanks Mike..running a Liunati solid roller..either comp or redline/redzone/redsomething roller lifters..nothing new or exotic..really has me scratching my head..12 hrs till engine removal https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Leave the motor in. Load the car on a Reliable truck to southern California and I will send you a check or wire the money to you. Then you can build another restored car and we can all watch the pictures again.
Mark Sheppard

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

BTW... Since you have so much to say, the machinist did my motor as well. And runs like a raped APE... By the way, do you have any el-camino parts for sale ????? Or other parts???

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

NO COMMENT 427 SILICONE KING

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Joe, I warned you once about personal attacks, this is warning #2. Take your bickering/name calling/parts requests/whatever to PM's. There will be no third warning.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
Joe, I warned you once about personal attacks, this is warning #2. Take your bickering/name calling/parts requests/whatever to PM's. There will be no third warning.

[/ QUOTE ]

For this reason I have had to refrain from a comment on my personal opinion on this matter. Your engine has a assembly error, to take a risk of damage of your good investment and diagnose it in the car running is rediculous! at the risk of your wallet, your taking a chance of spinning a main bearing and destroying a main journal, cranks are cheap that block is not. Take it out find the problem, When things go wrong its best to just go back and find the problem, not build a new one!! The bypass valve was a good start if it did not work you need to find the problem, the block is a mix of early oiling and the newer gen 6 priority main oiling system same as the iron bow tie blocks, its a good system but no room for error. There are a few common trait problems with them, one is if they alighn bore the rear main cap is too tight, needs to have .005 clearance, this is a typical big mistake with them, If you do not use the gm oil pump and a manley m77 instead they will sit on the inner most stud on the rear cap and areate the oil when it gets hot the psi is even lower, and most the time the pump base cracks when torqued. None of this may be the problem, but to diagnose it in the car versus the small expense of pulling it and finding the problem is in your wallet.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Albert,

Remember today is Friday the 13th, Perhaps you wait till Saturday to pull your engine. Good Luck!

Dan.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Joe, I warned you once about personal attacks, this is warning #2. Take your bickering/name calling/parts requests/whatever to PM's. There will be no third warning.

[/ QUOTE ]

For this reason I have had to refrain from a comment on my personal opinion on this matter. Your engine has a assembly error, to take a risk of damage of your good investment and diagnose it in the car running is rediculous! at the risk of your wallet, your taking a chance of spinning a main bearing and destroying a main journal, cranks are cheap that block is not. Take it out find the problem, When things go wrong its best to just go back and find the problem, not build a new one!! The bypass valve was a good start if it did not work you need to find the problem, the block is a mix of early oiling and the newer gen 6 priority main oiling system same as the iron bow tie blocks, its a good system but no room for error. There are a few common trait problems with them, one is if they alighn bore the rear main cap is too tight, needs to have .005 clearance, this is a typical big mistake with them, If you do not use the gm oil pump and a manley m77 instead they will sit on the inner most stud on the rear cap and areate the oil when it gets hot the psi is even lower, and most the time the pump base cracks when torqued. None of this may be the problem, but to diagnose it in the car versus the small expense of pulling it and finding the problem is in your wallet.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jeff this site is about sharing common interests and helping other members. Great post, keep them coming. Again the wealth of info on this site is amazing. Thanks for enlightening me and our members. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Agreed Steve. Unfortunately all this information is coming at Al's expense.

Wish I had something constructive to offer Al. It's easy for me to sit here and throw out opinions but for 'insurance purposes only', I think you're doing the right thing. I'd pull it and take it down. That's a serious investment and I'd tend to err on the side of caution. Here's hoping you find something that's quick, easy and inexpensive to correct. It's gonna be one helluva ride when she's ready. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif


(all this said on Friday the 13th. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/crazy.gif)

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
WOW... Can some people not read ???? AIR IN OIL...NOT WATER
BB head problems with studs and bolts are common.... This is NOT

[/ QUOTE ]

WOWWW is correct.....Ive been out of the country this past week and have not been on this site...or the net for that matter.I must first say that I am very disappointed at the response to my attempt to suggest a possible reason for this problem.I am the first to say that I am the furthest thing from a mechanic and I even qualified my suggestion as probably not the problem.It is rather unbelievable to me that a person asks to keep the ideas coming and then I am treated as if I am an idiot when I try and help by suggesting a possible solution.

I have no expertise whatsoever mechanically, only my personal experience....fact..when I blew a head gasket in my car years ago, the water mixed with the oil and "the oil was foaming and the oil pressure continued to drop" as that was the way I realized the problem...
Another fact..."Yes I can read" and I have reread this thread a few times and cannot seem to see where it was stated that "the problem was air mixing with the oil"... or did I miss that part??
Another fact...head bolt/stud problems are common, agreed, but I do not believe that the 4 extra studs on the ZL1 motor can be very common as these motors are not so common. Or am I incorrect and all of you have come across ZL1 motors that the professional mechanics/engine builders forgot to put in the extra studs??

I have in the past had some conversations with fellow site members when I was not happy or had a problem for whatever reason...but ALWAYS in a private matter.

I will definitely hesitate to add my .02 in the future even if I am 100% sure I can help. ....I sincerely apologize for wasting everyone here`s time with my suggestion.

And not that I need to be stuck up for, but thanks 427KING, and others for your efforts.

once again, I quote....WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

You weren't wasting my time---It was good you put your iron in the fire to try and help with the problem...As for the sarcastic comments made by someone else.........Who gives a ##%^ about that.........The issue is to help a member............

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Believe me Joe.....these comments dont bother me in the least...Life is way too short!!!!

I just hope people realize what a great resource this site is and that certain comments and attitudes only help to diminish the quality and quantity of information that comes forth. I have been greatly educated and helped on many occasions because of this site and its members....

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif


..and I do wish luck to the owner on figuring the problem quickly and getting that aluminum beast melting those tires!!!!
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

does the distributor body require an o-ring at the cam tunnel?

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
does the distributor body require an o-ring at the cam tunnel?

[/ QUOTE ]

dont know..using a MSD distributor though..it comes with two O rings but states that they are for motors with a beveled dist mount..this on is machined at a 90 deg angle so I dont think it uses any..please tell me if I am wrong!!

Well, was at the machine shop till late..and verified in front of the machinist that there is only 28 psi cold..pulled the pump and tested it in a bucket of oil(from the motor) and it made almost 80 psi!..and nearly twisted the drill out of his hands..pump is a Melling HV unit...bearings look good nothing out of the ordinary for a motor with only an hour on it..has us both scratching our heads.he tearing the whole motor down later today or on Monday and we are researching the oilong system to see what we have missed..has to be something. Thanks for everyones help and patience

ALbert

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

I have used hundreads of Jeff's distributors, and have even done some articles on them years ago, They are a good piece, I like to run the upper o ring and not the lower and I also like to cut a .010 groove in the lower to give the cam gear a little extra oiling on roller cams. Also use assembly lube on new gears icluding cam gear and distributor gear.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Did your verify that the 3 1/8" pipe plugs are installed in the lifter valley oil gallery? they look like bolt holes but go right into the gallery and without them the oil will just squirt into the lifter area. The distributor does not need any o-rings, any standard Chevy distributor will work.

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

double check the lower o-ring situation

what camshaft?

what year block?

also, is it a roller cam? if so are the lifters correct? if not, they could hemmorage oil by uncovering the galley/lifter bore and it bleeds towards the pan area..

if rod side clearance is more than .010/.012 it'll lose it there also

are you taking pressure readings at the oil filter pad or the rear upper port behind the intake?

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
Did your verify that the 3 1/8" pipe plugs are installed in the lifter valley oil gallery? they look like bolt holes but go right into the gallery and without them the oil will just squirt into the lifter area.

[/ QUOTE ]

we have a winner!!..you guys are good..just a little late..Jking https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif...pulled the intake and..smoking gun..three pipe plugs missing!..motor is cleaned-re-bearinged and re-assembled ..going to pick it up now. Glad I took it out..lots of aluminum material from the building of the block that somehow survived the cleaning both the machinist and I did.now with fresh bearings I have no worries..crank and rods are fine as is the cam bearings too.

question on 074 heads..exhaust crossover..wet or dry..I have some water in mine..from the dissassmbly poosibily?

thanks again everyone for your knowledge and support

Albert

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Probably a good thing those were missing or you may have never found out about the missing bypass valve? Congrats, ALbert! I wish I could have been more helpful.


Jason



Jason

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

Is your engine assembly expert smacking himself on the forehead and doing a Homer Simpson "Doh" ?

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is your engine assembly expert smacking himself on the forehead and doing a Homer Simpson "Doh" ?

[/ QUOTE ]

over and over again!..we have to have a little talk https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is your engine assembly expert smacking himself on the forehead and doing a Homer Simpson "Doh" ?

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.blogdelossimpson.com.ar/w...oh-posters.jpg

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

[b] Happy endings are always enjoyable!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Low oil pressure in ZL-1
 

A Homer Simpson "Woo Hoo!" and sound of beer can opening https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif. That's great, good to take it out and clean everthing. The 074 exhaust crossover should be dry unless there is a leak or when manifold was removed. Were the heads ever pressure tested? They can be leaky. Good luck and have fun, lets us know when that beast is running! My ZL-1 is in this original paint SS (sorry) [image]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ALLWEBZL-1.jpg[/image]