new to amc. final assembly on a 360 couple questions.

cobra5laddict

hello all, i am new to the forum i have been quite spending my time readingall the old posts and learning a lot about amc engines. i have spoke with mc and we both concluded that i needed a new front timing cover and match gear set, that is all on order as well as a new matched set of distributor and cam gears. anyway i am at the stage of installing the oil pick up. i am aware of using modeling clay to measure the clearance between the screen and oil pan. do you need to use any permatex or indian head sealer on the connection between the pickup tube and block? any other no brainer tips would be great too, like DONT pack yout oil pump gears with vasaline etc. thanks guys great tech site without the b.s. Byron =D>

jeepsr4ever

You need teflon tape and wrap it clockwise around the threads of the pickup tube maybe 3 times around. Then screw it into the block and see where it is sitting.

fuzz401

I use a past type pipe sealent on the tube if any of it gets into the oil it will not hurt any thing but mix into the oil

JERSEY JOE

OK if you can't use Vaseline to prime it what do you use? I have used it in the past and had no trouble.

roadgrime

purchase the priming tool sold on this website.
http://www.bulltear.com/products/8/Priming.jpg

ordering on http://www.bulltear.com/products/index.htm

its the "safest" way to do it without getting into the issues of using or not using vasoling safe insurance for only 34$

JERSEY JOE

So what do I use inside the pump?

jeepsr4ever

Joe what we use is a little light oil to lube the gears. You can also use the oil your running for breakin and lightly coat the gears

JERSEY JOE

Then I think that I seriouslt screwed up. I used Vasoline, now I have a problem. When I started the 360 up the oil pressure guage pinned. When it warmed up it lowered. Have not left the garage, but started it a few times since. When it's hot it has abound 20 psi, but when you rev it sometimes it goes to 60, sometimes it stays at 40. It's acting like the relief valve is screwed up. It has a new cover machined for .007 gear to housing clearance, new gears. I used a new filter adapter that did not have a bypass like the old one. Are all the new ones like this? Motor is new, pistons rings, bearings ect zero miles.

jeepsr4ever

STOP

Are you using a high pressure spring? If so get rid of it.
Are your gasket clearances right for the end of gear to pump dimensions?
Pull your distributor to see about wear
What weight of oil are you using?
New castings have the bypass cast in...since 89'
is your plunger active, take the spring out and see if the plunger moves smoothly.

Check your oil filter for signs of bloating

JERSEY JOE

The cover is an NOS from pre-89 so it has no bypass. So if I am using the new cover I guess I have none. I am using the spring that came with the gear set, I think it's red The cover was machines for .007 clearance, gears above housing Has 10w 40 in it. The first time I ran it it acted ok, had 40 psi hot. Forgot to mention that now whenit's hot and you rev it the pressure drops sometimes, but sometimes it goes to 65. I know that the bottom end is fine. I am 90% sure that the problem is in the filter, bypass, relief, and or cover .

tufcj

Are you using an electric or mechanical gauge? I never trust factory gauges on initial startup, I always use an external mechanical gauge. If it's a factory gauge, you may have a bad sending unit. Bob. tufcj

JERSEY JOE

It's an Autometer mechanical guage, brand new!