After putting my car in the hotrod shop to diagnose and fix a low oil pressure problem, spending lots of money and time trying to locate the problem, it was found (by someone else) that a $0.99 1/2" freeze plug located behind the timing chain sprocket was missing in action. Just a heads-up to anyone else who might have a similar problem in the future (before changing out rod and main bearings, lifters, oil pump, cam bearing inspection, etc., etc.).
That really sucks. That happened on the engine that is in my car before I got it. Those plugs need to be staked, JB Welded or replaced with threaded plugs.
That's a common problem. They come out once in a while on 302 blocks. Best thing to eliminate the problem is to run a 1/4-27 NPT tap into the holes, cut a couple threads and screw in a 1/4 NPT pipe plug. They won't come out again.
haven't had that happen yet, but i've heard of it. frustrating cause it takes so long to find something hidden like that.
Went through the same senario with the 331. Found the plug gone and replaced it. Figured I'd look at the bearings too, but only had a few race's left and the pressure was back to normal after putting in new plug, so spaced it off and went racin. Third pass the "8 rod exited the block and destroyed the crank and other internal's. Seem's the little time that the low oil pressure was evident, starved the bearings enough to cause siezure of #8 and eventual spitting the cap off the rod. "I never use those press in plugs ever again", especially with a HV oil pump. Yes, the plugs were staked too, but at 6900 rpm, the pump, which was a HP(boxed wrong) instead of HV, acted like an after eating chili noise maker.
I learned in advance of this problem after seeing Dave's motor puke it's guts out The 302 has screw in ones also when it was built.
It popped out. I had just made a pass, shoved it in Neutral, then looked down at the oil pressure and shut it down. BTW, I use the HP pump (conforming to cam spec guy, Ed Curtis' recommendation). Yes, there was "some kind of metal" in the oil pan when it was pulled - which I was told was a disintegrated bearing. It was the freeze plug after it had gotten into the timing gears and chain. (long story made short) My older brother, who has been working on SBF's since the 60's, found the problem in no-time. Unfortunately, I had to drive 325 miles for him to look at it.
..if you would have sent him a pic.,i'm sure he could have fixed that over the phone... what were you ? having to go to your bros. is why i didn't take you to ...Daytona Fl... this weekend with me... ...RFF...
My bro works off-shore (7 ON/7 OFF). He was "7 OFF" at the time and, as sort of a surprise for him, I wanted to have it ready for him to take down the track when he got in. And the reason you didn't take me to Florida with you was because [snappy comeback goes here]. ...FFR...
...you didn't answer your phone... i can't take you anywhere if you don't ...activate your transponder... ...RFF
Doh! I fergot, Frank. I was in the backwoods of Louisiana anyway and I couldn't get deception. Thanks for trying, Buddy.
