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TR4/4A tr4 low oil pressure

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mondialo64

mondialo64

Freshman Member
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I have been rebuilding a tr4 that's sat for a few years, finally got it on the road this spring. I did a few runs with the orig oil filter when the weather was cool, seemed to run fine. I just changed it over from the stock oil filter to a spin on. It is dropping presssure as it warms up (near 0). I tried a second filter of the same type (fram w/ bypass), but no difference. Also went from 10w/40 to 10w/30 still no luck. Any thoughts on pressure drop? If I go back to stock do I need to drain the oil a third time to change it back, or can the filter mech be changed with oil in the pan? Thanks for any help Charlie 64tr4 73mgb /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Charlie,
How many miles on the engine? I just had the engine on my TR250 re-built because my oil pressure read about 5 lbs. psi when it got up to temperature and that was with 50-weight racing oil in it. My guess would be a worn out engine, or at the very least, a worn out oil pump.
The spin-on type of filter is superior to the original canister type because the oil tends to drain out of the canister when the engine is shut off and it takes a few seconds to get oil to the moving engine parts on start up. I don't think the filter is the cause of the low oil pressure.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gifI thought the oil pump or possibly a stuck bypass? the odo shows 58k, pedals look to be about right, not to worn. In general the cars body is on par with that and the age. I want to try to look at all the easy stuff before heading to the pump. thanks again
 
Charlie,

I'd say that it has nothing to do with your filter set-up. It sounds like a worn out pump to me. Its not really that hard to change an oil pump, and remeber you can't trust Odometers or pedals. Since the former has usually rolled over at least once, and the later can easily be replaced. Only thing it could be other than the pump, is some kind of blockage. Either way you should probably drop the pan, and see whats going on with the pump.
 
It could quite possibly be your oil pressure relief valve. I’ve heard of instances where a thin sticky coating develops on the pressure relief valve which prevents it from closing properly. Removal and cleaning with lacquer thinner usually solves the problem. I’d suggest you try this before tearing the engine apart.
 
Kurtis,

I was curious do I need to drain the oild to remove and clean the bypass, looks to be above the oil level.
thanks again charlie
 
[ QUOTE ]
Kurtis,

I was curious do I need to drain the oild to remove and clean the bypass, looks to be above the oil level.
thanks again charlie

[/ QUOTE ]

Charlie,

I've never actually removed and cleaned mine, but I'm fairly sure your observation that it's located above the normal oil level is correct. In other words, I don't think you have to drain the oil.
 
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