88 Firebird 305 Oil Pressure Issue - Please Comment

The engine per vin is E = 305 ci V8 LO3 (1988-1992) If this helps.

In article , snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes

Sounds to me that you need a crank regrind and new main and big-end shells. And possibly other things that you will find when you get inside the engine.

I'm getting oil pressure when I drive and when I setup on the break and give it gas in gear I get oil pressure.

Would that still fall under crank? I'm not so sure.

Kind of sounds like worn bearings to me, too. Change your oil and put some straight 30W in and see if your pressure goes up. Or try some a little heavier. Do you have to pull the engine to change your oil pump? I would have to on my '74. In any case, if you change the pump, you can always plasti-gage your bearings to see where they're at. HD

The bearing are trash, You may be able to replace the bearings depending on what the crank looks like or Put some 50 wt oil in it. It come down to the fact you need a new engine

I put 50w oil in it and the pressure issue has not changed.

It gives me alittle longer time before the oil pressure drops to zero.

yeah I have to pull the starter, exhaust, undo the engine mounts and lift the engine about 6 to 8 inches. I'm really debating the oil pump replacement because people are telling me that it might be the bearings... In that case I might as well buy a rebuild kit and redo the engine. I just do not want to waste my time putting in a pump if thats not gonna help the issue.

I hope I get some more comments on this post.

Imagine that the oil pump is the most lubricated part in the entire engine. Other than the relief spring stuck open (i have seen this & results in No or little oil pressure even at startup) i suspect the bearings are heavily worn. These can be replaced from underneath (seeing as you have to lift the motor to get the sump off) just replace 1 at a time & retorque the caps.

I did have a ford 351 Cleveland that ran several years at about 5-15 psi idle. it actually died by the piston splitting & going through the block.(so its a ford - who cares) :->

Its bearings...period. classic symptoms and that engines junk from day one from the factory....

Sooo......

Take that back ! :-) My 305 i had fitted in my '78 Camaro (replaced the 6 pot) was very sweet & smooth. I replaced it with a crate 350 4 Bolt which just never did run right. The 305 (stock cam) averaged about 28 MPG cruising at 90mph and ran high 16's. I could drive all day on a tank of gas!

I would have to somewhat dissagree with you. While it's junk from the point of actually getting real performance out of it, properly taken care of they get good economy, ok performance for the timeframe, and last decently. That said, you have it on the nose, the bearings are clearly gone on that puppy.

Thanks guys now I need to decide if I'm gonna rebuild the 305 or the

I call em junk cause I got one..LOL

Heads make GREAT boat anchors.

LOL

That's a no brainer since they will cost the same to rebuild. Take the one with the better bore and stroke ratio and more potential. The intake and peripherals will fit on the 327. The only thing you should have to change is the valve covers and maybe elongate a couple of bolt holes for the intake. Get a book on rebuilding the small block Chevy, well worth the read even if you are going to farm out the work.

...Ron

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Thank you =)