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Author
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Topic: Low oil pressure
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Wulfgar
Gearhead Posts: 164
From: SAn diego, CA, USA
Registered: Oct 99
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posted 08-06-2001 09:34 PM
   
Ever since my car started to tick, the oil pressure has gotten lower and lower every time i drive it. we changed the lifters and intake manifold. and it was generally agreed on by about every mechanic in the world that my lifters are just supposed to tick(apparantly rhodes hydraulic lifters tick really loudly). The car used to start up at around 75-80 psi of oil rpessure and drop to about 50-60 after hard usage, now it starts at 25 and just kinda stays there, goes down a little when i step on the gas. losing alot of power...im afraid the life of my brand new engine is coming to an end. any opinions anyone?
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68F100
Gearhead Posts: 1425
From: Fort Madison, Iowa USA - United We Stand
Registered: Oct 99
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posted 08-07-2001 02:34 AM
Man, that sucks. I know the man who invented the Rhodes Lifters. I went to school with his grandson. However, I have never used his product, so I don't know how good or bad it is. If you would like to contact him (Rhodes) directly, I could see what I can do.
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mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 4135
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-07-2001 07:21 AM
What IS the deal with those lifters. A friend put them on his built 302 and took them off. I never knew what the reason was, but he didn't like them!
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jkilroy
Gearhead Posts: 1431
From: Vicksburg, MS
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 08-07-2001 08:51 AM
Rhodes lifters, and any other lifter that claims fast bleed down or the such, make noise, at least all the ones I have had experience with. But I never found the sound to be objectionable. Does your motor sound like a solid cam motor does when you start it cold? Or is it louder than that? My feeling is if your are using a cam that is big enough to *need* these type of lifters then the lifter noise isn't that bad. Chances are the exhaust on such a vehicle will cover the cam noise nicely.  The oil pressure problems are never good, 25 at startup seems really low. Have you changed the oil and filter since this started? If so, did you cut the filter apart and look for metal? ------------------
Jay Kilroy
68' Fastback GT 390
"No such thing as a cam thats too big"
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Wulfgar
Gearhead Posts: 164
From: SAn diego, CA, USA
Registered: Oct 99
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posted 08-07-2001 12:20 PM
I have changed the oil numerous times but i have never cut open the filter to look for metal. it is possible there is metal though. i dont hear any grinding but that loud ticking only seems like it is coming from 1 valve, cylinder, bearing, oil pump, whatever... when the car was being builtsomeone at one point decided to try to retap a head bolt over the lifter valley without covering up said lifter valley getting small metal shavings everywhere, i went to the shop and saw it and got pissed so i tried to vacuum everything up but it is possible some metal got into the engine itself through the pump screen . i dunno..maybe my answer is to change the oil pump and all my bearings(cam, main, ect..)
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 746
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 08-07-2001 12:52 PM
The deal with Rhodes lifters is that they create a variable duration at specific oil pressures.. Like any hydraulic lifter, they will generally start ticking when oil pressure gets below 15-20 psi.. They also tend to leak down during no oil pressure.. If you are experiencing excessive ticking, It could be caused from the low oil pressure.. Sounds like it's time to tear down and check all bearing clearances, including thrust and cam bearings.. If everything checks out OK then it could be a lousy oil pump..
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T5owner
Gearhead Posts: 504
From: Germany
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 08-07-2001 05:08 PM
Check the oil pump driveshaft immediately. It is probably broken, bent or something. That might cause the ticking sound as well.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 23085
From: Saco, Maine USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 08-07-2001 06:42 PM
Love my Rhoades lifters! Mine don't tick. At least I can't hear them over the exhaust.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC
Ford. The closer you look, the better WE look!
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 746
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 08-07-2001 08:04 PM
I run the Rhoades lifters only on my intake lobes to make my cam more streetable.. They helped keep my torque up on the low end.. I have never heard them tick, unless I don't crank her up for a week or so and they take a second or two to pump back up.. They work exactly as advertised..
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69machI
Journeyman Posts: 10
From: nova scotia
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 08-07-2001 09:06 PM
my rhoades lifters make a racket,and i love. it. it sounds like a solid lifter cleveland,and what could be sweeter than that?the clatter goes away somewhere around 2300rpm.at least i think it goes away...as for the oil pressure problem,change your oil&filter right away.cut your filter open and look closely for metal bits.if your engine is a fresh rebuild,some minute particles will be normal.flakes or pieces are probably bad news.in either case,have a sample of your oil analysed for metalic and chemical content.most diesel engine overhaul shops can tell you where to get this done.if a metal(babbit,cast iron,chromium,etc) is found to exist in your oil in large quantities,you will know where to look for trouble.------------------
69 mach I w/351c
91 f150 4x4 swb
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 2361
From: not where I want to be
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-07-2001 10:51 PM
I would definately pull the filter off and cut it open before driving it anymore. Look for any shiny flecks, especially ones that area a gold in color. If any appear, pull the motor and drop the pan, you have a bearing or bearings going away.
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