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

[Glenn Briglio]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.....

[lareagle]

What are you running for oil filter, can't see in your pictures on dyno.
Need to be a racing filter. Have see racers have trouble with regular street filters.
Larry

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by lareagle

What are you running for oil filter, can't see in your pictures on dyno.
Need to be a racing filter. Have see racers have trouble with regular street filters.
Larry

NAPA gold 1061

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Square 1, we're back.

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Nmbr1GMfan

NAPA gold 1061

Nothing wrong with using a 1061...…
That filter has no anti drain back valve and is fine mounted vertically.
A 1060 does have the anti drain back flapper valve.....needed for filters mounted horizontally....

Wix makes Napa filters and they just add a 5 to the number to denote its an oil filter.....

51061 R is their racing oil filter....and I use those...and have used them for years with no problems.....

The only filters I know of that had issues was Fram…..and I saw it first hand and won't use one even on my road vehicles.....

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

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.....

I put the plug back in under the rear cap, it's there for sure.