Roller lifter issue

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by Mark Demko, Mar 19, 2019.

  1. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Still 10 psi, but Im not gonna worry bout it, it comes right up with rpm.
    The gears still sit below the surface of the pump cover, even tho its a TA cover, Im pretty sure that's the cause of lower than wanted idle pressure, even with the longer pump gears and the spacer plate, I just have a regular gasket (no shims needed) for the pump cover. I MAY sand the spacer plat and see if I can tighten up the end clearanceo_O
    Other than that she seems to run strong, hope it shows at the track:D
     
  2. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    About all you can do still got good oil pressure at 3 grand
     
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  3. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Yep, I think Im good:cool:
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    You know what I would do Mark? I'd machine the spacer plate the required amount and get that end clearance down to the minimum .002. Pretty simple once you figure out how much to take off.
     
  5. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    You need a new cover. I may be wrong but TA doesn't make that cover. Larry's fix would work but likely not cost effective.
     
  6. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    That is a new TA cover that they say they blueprint out.
    Standard gasket is probably abt .003
    Put a .0015 on that cover to tighten clearance, or thin the spacer plate a grand or so. 10 psi hot sucks on an all fresh bearings rebuild.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2019
  7. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    .0015 gasket would be ok if the gears are .0005 deep. Any more than that and it's still out of spec.

    What year did you buy the cover, Mark?

    The incorrectly machined cover would not explain the sudden loss in pressure though. It would be crummy all along.
     
  8. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I believe it was at least 2 years ago.
    I thought of this yesterday...
    Heavier oil than 10/30... Nope, all that does is skyrocket cold pressure, and raise hot idle/cruise a couple pounds at best, Been there done that:rolleyes:
    Heavier relief spring than the blue 70 psi spring in there now to raise WOT hot pressure... Nope, that aint gonna do it either, the pump is NOT efficient enough to make the 70 psi hot WOT now as it is.
    Gotta make the pump more efficient.... decrease end clearance:D
    Im going to try as Larry suggested, sand the spacer plate for the longer gears.
    That's a HUGE advantage to the HV/HP pump, the spacer plate is actually an extension of the pump housing, therefore the gear pocket CAN be adjusted for a poorly machined gear pocket (too deep in my case)
    As Jim Weise said, an issue has followed me from the old build to this one, the issue is the timing cover, AND the adjustable regulator.
    Removing the adjustable regulator cured my dropping oil psi as I would accelerate on the highway (not sure the exact "hows or whys")
    But Im sure it was something I didn't have set up properly ( wrong spring length, too many coils, not enough, cranked in too far, or not far enough
     
  9. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member


    hold on here a second.....you have the hv....aka longer pump gears......but they still sit below the ta cover?????? my hv gears sit way beyond the cover......this is why the spacer is needed.

    if you gears are below the ta cover and your running the spacer something isnt making since. or do you mean the are below the spacer when on the cover. this makes more since


    my spacer is held in place with roll pins to make sure the spacer doesn't move around and mess up the side clearance in the pump. if yours is the same way it should be a straight forward machining process to thin that spacer down and easily keep the pump cleances. If you have stk gaskets both above and below the spacer you can gain a good amount of clearance you shimmying them down in both spots.
     
  10. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Mark,
    I'm still betting the welded up frt cam jrnl may be .0002-.0004 under orig size, which are usually on the low side of tolerance from manufacturer anyway.
    Blend grinding after weld (to keep runout in check), just about guarantees removal of an additional .0002-.0003

    Remember, this all started with your roller cam, and possibly the modified jrnl.
     
  11. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    You are correct the longer gears sit below the spacer for the HV pump, everything just followed the deeper pocket.
     
  12. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    IIRC, I installed the new TA cover when I did the roller cam
     
  13. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    so how much below the spacer are the gears........
     
  14. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Anything below the surface is no bueno. Mill that spacer plate the right amount and you are good to go. End clearance is end clearance. It's alot easier to machine the spacer than the timing cover gasket surface, and the oil pump won't know the difference.
     
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  15. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    You are correct Larry my fingers running ahead of my brain:confused::confused:
     
  16. UNDERDOG350

    UNDERDOG350 350 Buick purestock racer

    Or you could throw the HV gear set in the trash can where it belongs and just use the standard gears with the proper end clearance. If that does not give you proper oil pressure you have an internal engine clearance problem. Bearings or a crack in an oil galley. Don't over think it. Like Mr Scott says "the more you over take the plumbing the easier it is to stop up the drain".
     
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  17. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Just checked the pump, my bad, the gears DO extend above the spacer plate by .0035, I had a paper gasket on there .008 thick, so my gear end clearance was .0045. I have an assortment of paper gaskets, I found one .005/.0055
     
  18. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    LOL, what I need is another Buick 350 to put all these extra/spare parts on!!!
     
  19. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    Mark my gut tells me you have to pull this thing and take it apart. You'll find something. Otherwise I'm afraid you're going to cost yourself alot of preventable money. This thing is a time bomb.
     
  20. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    [QUOTE="Mark Demko, I had a paper gasket on there .008 thick[/QUOTE]

    Why would you:rolleyes:.......? S l o w down.....
     
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