Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

[Joe L.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

As Joe said, the #3814904, 40-45 psi, spring is still available. Just picked one up at my local Chevy dealer last month, although the list price is $5.77 now.

Mike-----


The dealer used their "price escalator" program on you. This is VERY common, especially for dealers on either coast. Especially for low cost items, the program escalates the "list" price on a sliding scale. So, the "list" price you see on the invoice is the dealer's list price, not the GM list price. In this case, it looks like you got about a 30% bump. That's actually pretty modest. A lot of times for a low cost item like this they'll hit you with a 75% or even higher bump over GM list.

[Michael M.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

Joe
I’m sure you’re right. The part was not in stock and I had to order it. When I picked it up it was still packaged in the manila shipping envelope. I was surprised they didn’t charge me shipping – but it looks like they did!

[Gene M.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

As Joe said, the #3814904, 40-45 psi, spring is still available. Just picked one up at my local Chevy dealer last month, although the list price is $5.77 now.

And Joe's Quote: Replace oil pump by-pass spring with GM #3814903. $4.43 at your GM dealer

So which part number is correct? Package says 3814903 in Mike's photo? Do I want 03 or 04?

[Michael M.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

And Joe's Quote: Replace oil pump by-pass spring with GM #3814903. $4.43 at your GM dealer

So which part number is correct? Package says 3814903 in Mike's photo? Do I want 03 or 04?

The part number is 3814903 as the package in the picture shows - the 4 was a typo.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

My question is will the GM spring work OK if the oil pump is not a GM manufactured part.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

My question is will the GM spring work OK if the oil pump is not a GM manufactured part.

I know that they will work fine in a Melling oil pump.

[Stephen B.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

One trick I have used when removing the oil pan is to set the timing mark on the harmonic balancer at 5 o'clock to get the crankshaft counterweight up and out of the way of the pan.

[Bruce W.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

Hi Mike, always appreciate your years of experience and wisdom. Regarding my 58 fuel car for the 1st time I noticed that the oil pressure seems high. It has been showing 45 lbs at idle with the engine warm. about 58 lbs when driving. I never noticed this before but am considering going for PV and do not know what to expect. If this is to high would you recommend buying another gauge first?

[Mike M.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

doubt tim mickey would pass 58 lbs press at running rpm nor 45 lbs at idle. u might call tim and get his opinion. think best to change springs in oil pump. regards,mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

All------


Some rebuilders think that high pressure is "better". They also think that high volume is "better". That's because of the false and juvenile notion that "high" anything is always better than "low" anything or "standard" anything. Not so with many things and, certainly, not so with oil pumps for small block Chevrolets. The vast majority of Gen I and Gen II small blocks are best equipped with standard pressure, standard volume oil pumps. Period.

[Jerry B.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

Hello all, my engine builder told me he likes to use a 60lb. pump. The application is on a 355 sb. Also he claims a 60 will increase crankshaft bearing life using 15-40w Rotolla. I sure would appreciate your input.

[Michael M.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

Stephen,

I think you'll have to replace your gauge as well. L79 cars are equipped with a 60 psi gauge. Have you had the car judged yet? There should be a deduction for the 80 psi gauge, unless they missed it. Hope it all works out well for you.

Mike

[Dennis O.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

I've been through this whole thing. One other thing to watch out for is a high pressure pump "M55HV". If you look, the High Volume pump is about 1/2 the price of a standard pump (why? I don't know). I believe there are more than a few engine builders out there who cannot resist the temptation to "upgrade" the build while saving about $50.00. Also, be careful of pumps from GM. Though also made by Melling, GM specified a lighter duty casting that can break under rough conditions.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

Hello all, my engine builder told me he likes to use a 60lb. pump. The application is on a 355 sb. Also he claims a 60 will increase crankshaft bearing life using 15-40w Rotolla. I sure would appreciate your input.

Jerry-----


GM never used the high pressure pump on ANY hydraulic lifter, PRODUCTION small block. I've got to believe they knew what they were doing. It's not a question of cost, either. The only difference in the standard versus high pressure pump is the installed relief spring. I just can't believe the difference in the price of the springs, if there was any difference at all, could have figured into this decision.

Aside from GM's decision, I also do not recommend the use of the high pressure pump in any hydraulic lifter small block. And, I don't recommend the use of a high volume pump in ANY small block except, perhaps, those used in all-out racing with increased volume oil pans.

[Bruce W.]

Re: Fail PV if high-pressure oil pump??

Mike, funny thing I brought the car two years ago to PA and failed the PV but it wasn't for that. Tim never said anything about the oil pressure and he did the whole test. I don't remember the pressure being that high? I wonder I changed the oil and put in 30 wt. valvoline racing oil. I wonder if that oil could be making it higher? your thoughts? would it hurt the engine to put 10w30 in it?Bruce