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Vortec 454 oil pressure

Greg Beckham

By Greg Beckham
in Ask A GM Technician

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Greg Beckham New Member

Greg Beckham

Posted
Posted

I have a 1996 Vortec 454 reading low oil pressure at idle after warm-up, 131K miles, well maintained. After warm-up it will read between 4-8 pounds at idle and makes the check gauge like flicker. Yesterday I swapped out the sending unit; no improvement.

Question: Is there a place by the oil filter or other that I can tap with a mechanical gauge to confirm the situation?  I am aware there were changes to the block in 1996, L-29/Gen. VI

I've researched and found some have gauge issues, others; sending unit; yet others having exactly the same symptom as me- it's actually the clearance in the bearings. I'm actually leaning towards it being bearing clearance issues and if so that sucks considering it being in a light duty truck,  lots of BBC's used in heavy-duty applications with good longevity.  I want to

Thank-you in advance.

tlaw91 Enthusiast

tlaw91

Posted
Posted

079d839f7a5a1767bc9bfc4897b951a1.jpg
Hook this John up and check oil pressure. Good pressure at filter means bad bearings. Bad pressure at filter means bad oil pump.


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Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

Attach mechanical gauge where the stock sending unit goes.  I have never replaced an oil pump and have it correct low oil pressure.  Back when I was serving my apprenticeship at a Chrysler dealership there was one winter where it seemed like I got two cars a week with the oil pressure idiot light coming on at hot idle.  The shop foreman would have me change the oil pump every time.  Everyone of those engines ended up 1 of 3 ways.  Crankshaft and bearings, or engine rebuild or traded in.  Oil pump didn't fix any of them.  I did get one van with a 318 that came in that had zero oil pressure.  It was over full of oil, yet not a drop came out when I removed the drain plug.  The van had been sitting for a few weeks during the coldest January in decades.  Was told to pull the engine, and when nothing came out of the oil pan I put the drain plug back in and went home.  Next morning I pulled the plug again, this time I got about a gallon of water then the oil.  Inside the engine was packed with that tan coloured sludge. That one got traded in. 

  • 1 year later...
pepper66 New Member

pepper66

Posted
Posted

Hi Greg, following up to your oil pressure/gauge issue above as I have same issue, 1996 454 dually below 150k miles.  Any feedback would be great. Tks

  • 2 months later...
ralph cruz New Member

ralph cruz

Posted
Posted

HELLO FELLOW READER  ... I HAVE A 1997 VORTEC 454 MOTOR WITH 9K ONLY  IN A MOTORHOME AND THE ISSUE I HAVE IS MY OIL GAUGE GOES FROM O TO 45 OR HIGHER OR 45 TO 0 AT IDLE ANY COMMENTS .

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