Low oil pressure!!

[vncj96]

My 99 for the last two days sits around 17-21psi on the gauge when i come to a stop it drops to zero, then takes a few seconds to get back up, yesterday on the excursion back from the holidays I started to hear a tick in the upper end of the motor (comes and goes). The engine temp doesnt get any hotter then normal but that could be of the MN cold, and this truck has never used any oil, tomorrow will be able to check it out a little more during the daylight. So, has anyone dealt with this? How much damage could have been done, and will I most likely need a new motor?

[Badbrad469]

first thing i would do is check the oil and see if you're really low. as far as the tick it could be a lifter tapping because it's not getting oil.

[vncj96]

I just hope thats what it is and have caught this early enough and no cylinder damage has been done, other then the oil itself I really dont know where to be looking on my own before I can get it to the mechanic next week. But if so I think it will be a HT383E crate motor for my baby!!!

[phoebeisis]

VNCJ96,

Let's hope you have totaled your motor(just kinda' kidding). Pace has a 383E delivered to your door for $4500 and change. It is actually a better price than some of the other online sellers because with it you get
1)All the gaskets
2)A NEW distributor-which I think you need because the 383E required a "melonized" gear on the dist. I have practically no idea what a melonized gear is as opposed to a non melonized gear. I guess it is a different steel alloy with maybe some different surface treatment?? treated with watermelon?? Who knows-someone out there?
3)New Plugs and wires
4)Already installed oil filter
50Other "stuff' I can't remember.

I have been eyeballing the 383E to replace my 208,000 mile 98 Suburban motor for quite awhile. I have even convinced myself it will "barely" hurt the mpg. I have also convinced myself that since it is a special motor, it will be more carefully assembled than the "normal" 5.7 Goodwrench with is $2200 delivered. I pretend that I "need" a forged crank, and 4 bolt mains-despite that fact that the stock motor produced 208,000 trouble free miles.

One downside-the stock trans is supposed to be "good" for just 380 lb-ft- not the 430 lb-ft of the stroker. The "sellers" say the stock trans can take it ,'if you are careful".

Hope your motor is ok, but if it isn't-get that 383E- the greatest $4500 drop in performance bargain on the planet.

Oh, my oil pressure will drop to about 22psi at idle once it warms up. It is about 45-50 psi at 60 mpg 1700RPMS.

Luck,
Charlie

[vncj96]

I really want the the 383 as I had always planned when I bought this truck to run it untill the body falls off, nelson performance can also tune for this specific 383 and i have contacted them and said with the updates and a shift kit the tranny will be just fine as long as it had no major issues to begin with. But we'll see, the baby on the way might have a better idea to use 4500 bucks.

[JMoney02]

My 99 for the last two days sits around 17-21psi on the gauge when i come to a stop it drops to zero, then takes a few seconds to get back up, yesterday on the excursion back from the holidays I started to hear a tick in the upper end of the motor (comes and goes). The engine temp doesnt get any hotter then normal but that could be of the MN cold, and this truck has never used any oil, tomorrow will be able to check it out a little more during the daylight. So, has anyone dealt with this? How much damage could have been done, and will I most likely need a new motor?

Appears that the lifter did not pump up causing the tick, not enough oil to it. Stated to check you oil, check to see if its full is all. Do you plug you motor in? What weight oil are you using? Do you change to a different weight for the winter cold? MN is Minnesota, right? I would suggest changing for season changes(weight).
I doubt you damaged the motor enough to replace, your oil pump pressure is probably caused by the severe cold, damage now is isolagted to the lifter, but could have damaged the cam lobe as well for that lifter. Does the pressure increase at higher RPM's/Speed? Change out the oil to a lighter grade, try to keep the truck warm, inside if possible, plug in if you have this capability? Cause the Baby is going to need the cash and your baby may need to limp a long for now, Sorry.....

Jeff