Fresh rebuild, oil everywhere

[Paul Merolla]

The plot thickens...
Today I installed new metal-clad Viton valve seals. Fired it up, and no smoke! As a side note, I originally had 6 qts of 30 wt. Valvoline along with a pint of Comp Cams break-in lube in the pan. Today I put in 5 qts of the Brad Penn since the cam was broken in.
Anyway, all was well until about 2 minutes in when the oil pressure gauge dropped to around 20 lbs. I immediately shut it off. Waited a few minutes and cranked it back up...had around 60 psi for a minute or so, then it dropped again. I'm thinking all these issues are related to filling the valve covers with oil. For some reason, there's either too much getting up there or not enough coming back down. Either way, it ain't good! I don't get it...same block and heads from last year. Different oil pump (Schumann low-volume), different head gaskets (FelPro MLS), pushrods, lifters, and roller rockers.
Is there a plug that could've gotten left out? Could the lifters be allowing too much oil up top?
By the way, I noticed the other day that the pressure on startup was 72 psi but after a couple minutes it started to "flutter" down to 55 or so. I have the 60-65 psi spring in the Schumann pump.

[Alan Nyhus]

Paul, did you change the filter with the fresh oil? -Al

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

Paul, did you change the filter with the fresh oil? -Al

Yes, I'm using the Wix Racing filters.

[rod butcher]

Did you use an oil restrictor kit?

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by rod butcher

Did you use an oil restrictor kit?

No...I'm not sure what that even is.

And RJ - the camper is 8'-6", and that's why I wanted it...so it didn't hang out of the bed and require the use of an extended hitch. It's a 2001 Lance Lite 835.

[RJ Sledge]

After it warms up and the pressure drops, raise the rpms to 4000 and see if the gauge comes up to the 60-65 lb range and is steady. If it does I believe you are ok. The low pressure pump is just that ....low pressure. Just make sure its steady at the higher rpm range (4000).

If it fluctuates at 4000 rpms add a half qt of oil and check it again.

Thanks for the info on the camper, that is what I need.

RJ

[Paul Merolla]

Still haven't figured this out. The oil pressure issue went away when I switched back to a plain ol' M55 pump, but the smoke won't stop.
So far, I've done these:
Had .100 milled off the ends of the intake, because it was squeezing the rtv out and ending up metal to metal. Now it sits like it should.
Switched out the Viton valve seals for Teflon.
Still smokin'.
Today I pulled the pistons, and there were no rings upside down or anything stupid. Stuck #6 back in upside down with just the oil rings on it and pulled it with a fish scale...had 10-11 lbs of drag. Now I'm out of options, so if anybody has more ideas, lay 'em on me.

[Mike Pearson]

I would say you are too light on the oil ring. I usually try for 15 to 18 with a fish scale. That light has always lead to the same issue as you have now. Tweak the expanders to get a bit more ring pressure.

[Alan Roehrich]

A lot of oil in those cylinders, and what looks like scuffing on the cylinder walls, especially #2.

Can't be sure about the cylinder wall finish.

I run about 8# tangential tension on the oil rings, with a Speed Pro oil ring package, and Napier cut second rings. I do not run zero gap rings, but I do run Total Seal Advantage rings. The finish is absoultely critical, as is the bore being round.

[Jim Wahl]

Alan's right. #2 looks as if it has 200 runs on it! I'd pull it an run the numbers again. Way too much scuffing! Jim

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