My well maintained original 72 350 with 140k has has been leaking more oil out of rear main seal and has had low oil pressure at hot idle for the past 40 years. I started disassembly this week and was looking great until I removed the pan. I attached picture of shavings. Cylinders, heads, timing gears and main bearings look great. Any ideas?
A magnet will tell all, but honestly there aren't many iron bits in the engine that will leave that much stuff without a big failure. Sorry to say it, but I think you'll have to take it all apart. Devon
Get that flashlight in there. We're not missing a piece of a piston skirt maybe? Whatever it is, it got crunched by the rotating assembly. Devon
Check number 7 and 8 connecting rod bearings that will tell the whole story if you have an oiling problem. Does your motor make a lot of noise on the driver side valve drain ? If so part of that could be cam bearing material.
I changed original timing chain n gears at about 80k looked fine. I'll look at bearings closer tonight
Oh, you don't have to go there guys! No big block implant needed. The 350 is quite a beast all by itself. The 1970 350-4 was enough to scare the hell outta me on the back streets in Flint. Devon