I think its got two .041 holes one in the plug and one in the cam retainer bolt plus the lifter bores.
Wayne, you are correct.
Back to the original poster.
Can you verify that your 12.5 lbs was idle oil pressure not at RPM?
Ross, yes, with the car was idling about 950 RPM oil pressure with the car at operating temperature was about 12.5.
Have you checked the orientation of the cam bearing oil holes?
I have seen plenty of these installed incorrectly...
C6AE, the short block came assembled from the machine shop. I hope he did them right.
Well…..I finally got a chance make a comparison on the gauges. I used my battery drill on the oil pump to compare the Autometer gauge in the car to the mechanical liquid filled unit I bought screwed into fitting for the oil pressure switch. Then took the mechanical liquid filled off the car to compare it to the gauge on my air compressor driven by the regulator. It turned out to be a bust, I have no faith in any of them to know which one is accurate.
Autometer Gauge Test Gauge Air Compressor regulator
25 30 15
50 58 60
Once I can get back to the office, I will have access to a gauge calibrated on a yearly basis to make a final determination.
While I had the timing chain cover off, I looked as best I could through the intake valley, which wasn’t very far to see if there was bleed off around the lifters. #5 cylinder was the only one I could see much of at all. I did take the time to turn the pump and look at the lifter, then rotate the engine over by hand, rinse and repeat. That one didn’t look to have any issues. I did notice oil flow coming out from the cam at the cam gear. I presumed this to be normal and never thought about a video until now!!
The cam plate retainer hole with a hole got a center punch to close it up then swapped it with the other bolt as a precaution. The plug behind the distributor was replaced. So, no more oil shooting at the back of the timing chain cover. Hopefully, that was the cause for 2 different front seals to leak.
Several of you guys had it right, eliminating the plugs with holes didn’t do much for idle oil pressure at operating temp.
It’s time for an oil change to a straight 30 weight and see what happens. I will cut the filter open to look for any signs of debris.
While it’s still mobile, I need to get my garage in order and start on a remodel project. Thanks for the help. I will come back to the thread when I have more information.