H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.

Glenn Briglio · 03-20-2019, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nmbr1GMfan

I can't remember the clearance, maybe .0023. Dial bore and mic. This isn't a clearance issue, it's an oiling issue.

Ok what oil pump,clearance between oil pickup and pan? Oil restrictors,drain back holes?How much oil?

Nmbr1GMfan · 03-20-2019, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Briglio

Ok what oil pump,clearance between oil pickup and pan? Oil restrictors,drain back holes?How much oil?

Std volume, 1/2+, no restrictors, drain backs clear and opened up, 6 qts (over full).

Rich Biebel · 03-20-2019, 10:56 AM

It was definitely from a lack of oil issue....

Bad pump, restriction of oil flow or pressure/volume

Small blocks are pretty trouble free generally in this area.

A small Plug down inside a passage under the rear cap....front and rear cam plugs.....cam bearings...…things to check...

If the crank was ground it is a MUST to run a brush thru all the oil holes....and wash it real good...….

Seen guys take a fresh ground crank out of the box and just install it.

Over full oil pan could have caused the oil to aerate from windage.....but that's a stretch.....

Nmbr1GMfan · 03-20-2019, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

It was definitely from a lack of oil issue....

Bad pump, restriction of oil flow or pressure/volume

Small blocks are pretty trouble free generally in this area.

A small Plug down inside a passage under the rear cap....front and rear cam plugs.....cam bearings...…things to check...

If the crank was ground it is a MUST to run a brush thru all the oil holes....and wash it real good...….

Seen guys take a fresh ground crank out of the box and just install it.

Over full oil pan could have caused the oil to aerate from windage.....but that's a stretch.....

I believe it's a volume issue (I'll know more today when I look at some measurements) All the plugs are in and the cam bearings look good, only the rods (last to oil). Crank was run through the washer and brushed. Is there a way to get oil pressure closer to the crank and not in the galleys?

Glenn Briglio · 03-20-2019, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

It was definitely from a lack of oil issue....

Bad pump, restriction of oil flow or pressure/volume

Small blocks are pretty trouble free generally in this area.

A small Plug down inside a passage under the rear cap....front and rear cam plugs.....cam bearings...…things to check...

If the crank was ground it is a MUST to run a brush thru all the oil holes....and wash it real good...….

Seen guys take a fresh ground crank out of the box and just install it.

Over full oil pan could have caused the oil to aerate from windage.....but that's a stretch.....

Not really a stretch when putting 1 quart over.What size oil filter? Pickup to pan should be a max of 3/8".

Tim H · 03-20-2019, 12:34 PM

Yup, I noticed that "1/2 +" as quoted and like the 3/8" measurement personally. Really feel for you and Autumn, such rotten luck on a very straightforward engine build. SBC oiling at this approximate power level should be bulletproof as it comes from GM.

Glenn Hayes · 03-20-2019, 12:47 PM

Oil viscosity (also known as 'weight') and temperature play a significant role in engine bearing clearances and what the given oil pumps performance ( flow rates) will produce.

Please keep us informed on your investigations.

Nmbr1GMfan · 03-20-2019, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim H

Yup, I noticed that "1/2 +" as quoted and like the 3/8" measurement personally. Really feel for you and Autumn, such rotten luck on a very straightforward engine build. SBC oiling at this approximate power level should be bulletproof as it comes from GM.

I have some theories, but won't know till I get there and start looking further. I'll recheck the pick-up but I'm pretty sure with the 1 piece gasket it was 1/2".

Rich Biebel · 03-20-2019, 02:05 PM

The little plug I mentioned is down in the block under the rear cap. It presses in there and closes off an oil passage. You'd still have oil pressure even with it missing.

A good shop would knock that plug out to boil the block and sometimes it never got replaced.

A high oil level in a stock depth low capacity pan is not a good idea but with a windage tray it should not have caused this.

The pickup being slightly higher than ideal is not a big deal to me either.....unless oil is trapped up top and you generally will see oil pressure fluctuations if the level was to low and pump was starving.....

Think about just how the oil in the pan is moving around in a wheelstanding car....sitting on a dyno its not under any of those forces....

Small blocks "like" to kill #5 & #6 rods more than any others.....Don't ask me why …..

I hope you find a cause and hate seeing stuff like this....but it happens unfortunately.....

Nmbr1GMfan · 03-20-2019, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Briglio

Not really a stretch when putting 1 quart over.What size oil filter? Pickup to pan should be a max of 3/8".

1 qt filter, Oil was a little high, just under the windage tray.

03-20-2019, 10:56 AM	#3
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. It was definitely from a lack of oil issue.... Bad pump, restriction of oil flow or pressure/volume Small blocks are pretty trouble free generally in this area. A small Plug down inside a passage under the rear cap....front and rear cam plugs.....cam bearings...…things to check... If the crank was ground it is a MUST to run a brush thru all the oil holes....and wash it real good...…. Seen guys take a fresh ground crank out of the box and just install it. Over full oil pan could have caused the oil to aerate from windage.....but that's a stretch..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

03-20-2019, 12:47 PM	#7
Glenn Hayes Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 348 Likes: 416 Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. Oil viscosity (also known as 'weight') and temperature play a significant role in engine bearing clearances and what the given oil pumps performance ( flow rates) will produce. Please keep us informed on your investigations. __________________ "Real Race Cars Have Tailgates"

03-20-2019, 02:05 PM	#9
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. The little plug I mentioned is down in the block under the rear cap. It presses in there and closes off an oil passage. You'd still have oil pressure even with it missing. A good shop would knock that plug out to boil the block and sometimes it never got replaced. A high oil level in a stock depth low capacity pan is not a good idea but with a windage tray it should not have caused this. The pickup being slightly higher than ideal is not a big deal to me either.....unless oil is trapped up top and you generally will see oil pressure fluctuations if the level was to low and pump was starving..... Think about just how the oil in the pan is moving around in a wheelstanding car....sitting on a dyno its not under any of those forces.... Small blocks "like" to kill #5 & #6 rods more than any others.....Don't ask me why ….. I hope you find a cause and hate seeing stuff like this....but it happens unfortunately..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 03-20-2019 at 02:12 PM.

03-20-2019, 12:34 PM	#6
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,041 Likes: 1,068 Liked 481 Times in 158 Posts	Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit. Yup, I noticed that "1/2 +" as quoted and like the 3/8" measurement personally. Really feel for you and Autumn, such rotten luck on a very straightforward engine build. SBC oiling at this approximate power level should be bulletproof as it comes from GM.