Ok, here is the story

Took car (Series 1 VS Caprice V8 HSV 185kW option, 166000 kays) to Holden dealer for paint (friend runs the paint shop). They have it for a week or so. The fire it up to give it back to me and oil light on. Fair enough, it has the odd oil leak, put more oil in it. But then drive it for 10 minutes and oil light comes back on. "Oil pick up" they say. Flush flush, check oil pump, change oil, flush flush etc. Car will idle forever no problems, but drive it for a bit and up comes the oil pressure light. "Oil pick up they say, take car home and get fixed, we too expensive" Fair enough I thought, except for the fact it had no problem before it went in. But these things do happen like that.

So i save the money and drop it in to local mechanics saying "Holden say oil pick up". Fine says mechanic.

So they put the mechanical oil pressure guage on it and get 7 psi at idle, 20 with a rev, which slowly decreases as it warms up. 19, 18, 17 with a rev etc until they turn it off due to low oil pressure/oil light. There is much consultation amongst the mechanics. "Not oil pick up" they say "we ain't gonna charge you $600 to take the sump off and find out its not that, we think its shot cam/crank bearings, here is your car, let us know what you wanna do" On the plus side they charged me nothing beyond new oil & filter which was the first thing they did.

So this is where I am at. I don't know what is actually WRONG with the car beyond low oil pressure. It still could be the pick up, but I am unconvinced. Other than the engine, car is in very nice condition, new paint, interior is excellent, new brakes, new tyres (yes, i had been spending some money and I baby the damn thing) everything works and is original blah blah.

So is it cam/crank bearings? Is it possible it is the oil pump or faulty oil pump bypass? And if it the bearings do I

a) buy a V8 from a wrecker and bung it in.
b) buy a reco V8, swap the bolt ons to make it 185kW again
c) rebuild my engine with some go faster bits (lumpier cam and 5.7 stroker)
d) wreck it and buy WL Grange.

I am torn because whilst I do love the car, do I love it enough to keep it long enough to make a new engine worth while? Bodge it and sell it? Arrgh indecison!

Over to you. Any recommendations for crate 5.0's while we are at it?

Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!

I like C ...and you should put really thick oil in it to drive it around(if its no good wont matter) ,buy the best deal v8 on ebay ,build that up,swap em, then sell the other one....just what I would do(even just the bottom end)

Jim in Adelaide..

Yeah,thinking more about it I think Greg(classic oz) is on the money with this one,change oil to a thicker viscosity
and change the oil pump and check/replace the sensor before getting further into it.

Jim in Adelaide..

Thanks guys, yep I will/am going to change out the oil pump.

Is it worth going for a HV or leave it as a standard? I have heard stories of HV's blowing old seals especially main seals. I am inclined to stay stock.

I was suprised at the suggestion of bearings being as above I baby the thing and change the oil plenty, especially as it has only 166k on the clock.

I will keep you informed and appreciate any further comments/advice.

Cheers all

Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!

wrong...i went the high volume and it did not work any better because of my unique problem...just get a good second hand oil pump from any v8 holden as they are the same..pack it full of grease or vaso and fire it up..if that works buy a new one..if not pull the timing case cover and check for the same unique problem i had...

going to church makes you no more a christian than standing in a garage makes you a car...

www.classicozwreck.com.au

I had the same problem with my 253, it eventually cured itself after standing for a day or so. but you could check the oil pressure relief spring, cheap and esy to fix.

quote:

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Originally posted by adam PERTH
Disagree.
Classic OZ, it didn't fix your problem because it didn't have a faulty pump or worn brearings in the first place by the sounds of it.

Tuning for Holley carbs in Perth? PM me.

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yes and thats why i was saying wrong...no point forkin out for a h/v pump if that may not be the problem...maybe i should have worded it better adam..

going to church makes you no more a christian than standing in a garage makes you a car...

www.classicozwreck.com.au

the cam shaft people (crowe or crane can't remember but is on their site)recommend that high vol pumps not be used on street motors as the pressure washes out the bearings over a long period. they reckon even modded motors can run perfecly well with standard pump, highly modded motors for drags etc get rebuilt frequently so bearings are not a problem.
besides you might not buy shot bearings at 166k, that doesn't mean they aren't worth looking at just to be sure and maybe save some money.

Which is proving more difficult that i thought. Not only are the HV a LOT cheaper for some reason, an oil pump full stop is proving difficult to locate

Anyone got an opinion on this? JP Standard? Price seems good too. I have however read differing opinions on JP. Are there other options/recommendations?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/H...ies&hash=item2a0cfddfaa

Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!

Edited by user Friday, 7 January 2011 3:14:25 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified