Oil pump

[xstriple]

Hey guys!
Early petrol disco oil pumps? Know to wear out around 220k? I havent checked actual pressure yet but on my recoed 3.5, after being quiet on startup, lifters start making a racket after getting warm and back on idle.
Yes, they are new as with cam.

[MacMan]

Check oil pressure before investigating anything else. Oil pressure would have to be perilously low when hot for your lifters to be the source of the noise when warm. Normally something else would be the culprit for noise when warm or hot.

What was done for the reco?

Be aware that the oil pump's delivery at idle depends on correct clearances between the gears, the timing cover and the pump cover - these are influenced by gasket thickness and not all gaskets are the same.

[bee utey]

If yer lifters rattle due to low oil pressure just run oil a little thicker, say a 20W50 or 20W60 Penrite. Works for me.

[Rezley]

I had a similar issue, couldn't work out why they were getting noisy till one day at idle I saw the oil light flicker, quickly checked my mechanical gauge and pressure started to drop.

I killed the engine, towed it home and pulled sump off to find the pickup was hanging by one bolt.

Fixed that up and no more noises and luckily no knocks.

Rez

[xstriple]

Well, no change with 20w50 and new filter.
Reco was big ends, mains, pistons, rings, cam/lifters(and bearings),timing chain, valves. It SHOULD be really good but am dissappointed.

[MacMan]

Did you check all the new crank to bearing clearances before sealing it up?

Worn rocker gear can also return funny oil pressure readings if disturbed during a rebuild. That aspect can be checked with the engine in still in the car but the rockers off. If you drive the oil pump and find it bleeding out excessively somewhere on either bank it might be a simple fix.

[loanrangie]

How did you prime the oil pump ?

[xstriple]

Packed it with vas

[MacMan]

Packed it with vas

And the clearances were... ?

[xstriple]

Does anyone know at what minimal pressure the oil light comes on?