low oil pressure...first fire?

[edog70]

IT'S ALIVE.....ALIVE!
Finally finished all of the install of the 440 in my 70 Challenger.  Here's what we have so far...

1977 440 (77000 miles from motorhome), with original tq carb (rebuilt),
727 TCI Streetfighter with B&M Torque Converter
26" radiator (Year One) Adapted to 22" opening (homemade bracket)
Aluminum water pump and valve covers (Mopar Performance)
Aluminum intake, cam and lifters (Edelbrock)
Aluminum Fuel Pump (Carter)
Tri Y Headers (Shumacher)
New oil pan and pickup.
New ECU, cap, rotor, plugs wires, voltage reg.
We did not do a bottom end rebuild, just cam and lifters. 
We filled all appropriate fluids and started our break in.  After 5 minutes the oil idiot light was still on.  We stopped the motor, and pulled the sending unit.  We turned the motor over and witnessed oil coming from the sending unit hole, so we replaced the unit with a new one.  We verified that the idiot light wasn't shorted to ground, causing light to stay on.  It goes on when you ground it, and off when you don't.  The next day, we started again and ran again for 5 min,  light still on.  We had a small drip from the passenger side bank valve cover (we pourerd the oil in the driver's side), so we assume we have some pressure.  after 5 min of running, the oil filter is still cold, however, the headers are starting to get red hot.  Anti freeze is getting hot in the heater core lines, but thermostat hasn't opened yet (Upper hose still cold).  Not wanting to ruin a perfectly good motor, we shut off again.  Since the oil filter is still cold, I'm assuming I don't have a complete loop.  The only problem I can foresee is a bad oil pump, (and from reading I hear you recommend melling), or possibly the oil pickup is too close to the pan, not giving enough volume.  (I read it should be just barely touching the pan... is this correct?)  Is the sending unit from a 77 compatible with an idiot light from a 70?  (yes I"m grasping!)  Should I ignore the light and continue the break in?  Any help will be greatly appreciated.  OH YEAH, IT SOUNDS SWEEEET OPEN HEADER!         :JACK AND COKE:VICTORY CIGAR:   

Thanks in advance...You guys rock!

e

[Chryco Psycho]

the pickup should very close to the bootom of the pan , the facrioy pick up cannot starve as it has a plate under it to prevent it getting to close to the bottom & limiting flow
 Melling makes the best oil pumps
 I would connect a mech oil pressure guage & verify the pressure 

[Stacked440]

I believe Melling is the only company left that makes oil pumps for 440's.  I would HIGHLY recommend a mechanical oil pressure gauge.  Fried my first 440 because I didn't have one.  Didn't make that mistake again.

[ted]

exactly, you need to know what preasure you have.

[moper]

If it's been running that way a few times, and had the throttle rapped a little, I would say you probably have damage now. If it was all new, you definately would have had damage. Open headers sound cool, but mask death sounds...I always use some sort of mufflers. The engine shoudl have ben preoiled with a drill while the crank is truned by hand. Factory gages are never close. So a mechanical gage even as a temperary thing is a must. Pull the valve covers. If there is no oil in the rockers, you have big issues. The quick fix might be a HV pump (M63HV Melling) and see if it fixes things up. Just dont keep running it.

[edog70]

ALL IS WELL!

We hooked up the oil pressure gauge, and changed the oil filter, and everything is fine.  We had 75 psi at start, and ran for 25 minutes at 2000 rpm.  Temperature gauge was a little high, but to be expected with no hood or air circulation other than the fan.  Now for the exhaust and driveshaft........   

[tactransman]