V6 oil pressure issue

[King_berald]

Ok so I've just had my l67 fully reconditioned.
New everything. Old mate said the cam bearings were ok so they were not replaced.
So new pistons, rings, pump, and bearings. Also crank needed a regrind, and cam was shot. So new cam also.
It's all been done and out back together.
When I start it cold, it sounds awesome. Gets about 60psi. Then as the temp rises, the pressure slowly drops down. I'm getting like 15psi at warm idle. Obviously I'm getting all the side effects of low oil pressure. I believe it's supposed to be around 50 - 66psi? According to the condition of the release valve.
I tried explaining this to the engine builder and he's pretty adamant that 15psi is heaps at idle. But he's happy to go over it again. So I'm not up without a paddle.
In the process of troubleshooting, I changed my release spring/valve and my front cover just to see if the housing for the oil pump was too far gone. No luck.

My thoughts are that the cam bearings are shot. But this is just a hobby for me. And I feel bad underminding somebody who's obviously a professional. Is anyone able to shed any info just in case Ive missed something?

 

[losh1971]

Is the bloke a engine machinist? Cam bearings are tricky to replace and it's not something your average garage can do. If the cam was stuffed then I'd be finding out why the cam bearings were not replaced, apart from it being a tricky job requiring specialised equipment to do it right. If it is cam bearings it's engine out again.

 

[King_berald]

Is the bloke a engine machinist? Cam bearings are tricky to replace and it's not something your average garage can do. If the cam was stuffed then I'd be finding out why the cam bearings were not replaced, apart from it being a tricky job requiring specialised equipment to do it right. If it is cam bearings it's engine out again.

Yeah I know the process. And I understand why he wouldn't want to do it. But this guy is telling me the thing is fine lol. He is a machinist

 

[King_berald]

Also I tested my mates Ecotec today just for piece of mind, and his pressure was consistent throughout the temp range. 45- 50 psi.
The builder was telling me that it's not possible because it would blow out all the seals. Obviously this doesn't sound right to me considering the purpose of the release valve.

 

[losh1971]

Someone on here will know the hot figures and will pipe in before the night is out I suspect.

 

[King_berald]

Someone on here will know the hot figures and will pipe in before the night is out I suspect.

There is a thread I was reading where people were posting their psi. This forum is normally my first port of call. It's great

 

[losh1971]

I'd say my Buick has more than 15psi. I had enough pressure to split the sender unit on the top and had oil coming out fairly quickly as a result hahaha. I had mine checked a while back and it had good pressure but I don't know what the figures were which may have given you some indication.

 

[losh1971]

There is a thread I was reading where people were posting their psi. This forum is normally my first port of call. It's great

What figures were they giving? I'd be keen to know what is considered good oil pressure.

 

[King_berald]

They were all saying between 50 and 66. As the release spring wears, the pressure will drop because the pump should be pumping excess pressure constantly.

 

[J_D 2.0]

There is a thread I was reading where people were posting their psi. This forum is normally my first port of call. It's great

When you ask google a lot of the time it points you to here anyway. This place is the go to for Qs about Commodores!