So here is my issue I am having with my z after a head and cam install. When the car gets up to temp the oil pressure drops to 25 to39 psi hot and the needle tends to bounce a bit. Cold the psi is usually around 40 to 45 steadily. At wide open whether its warm or cold it spikes up past 80 psi no sweat and does not dipp while climbing in rpm.

This has been verified on my mechanical gauge. Also whenever I let off the gas after going WOT a loud ticking occurs untill it gets back to idle RPM's and then eventually goes away. Im thinking the Oil pump o-ring is not seated correctly as we reused my stock one that had 70k miles on it. Does what I am describing sound like a pinched or miss seated pickup O-ring? Im thinking so however I just want some second opinions before I go tear assing into this thing again. Thanks for the help guys!

I intstalled the following when I did my cam and heads as well.
I have a brandnew TSP ported oil pump, Rollmaster double roller chain, New LS7 lifters, ls2 lifter trays, new cromoly 7.40 push rods.

 

Bump to top, Thanks

 

Bump for day crew.

 

Did you get a new oil O ring and cam retainer plate?? I have a Loud ticking noise that developed as soon as the motor warmed up after I installed my new cam. I didn't realize I needed to replace the O ring and maybe the plate. I went back last night and replaced those two items..................I'm gonna crank it up this evening and see if the noise is gone.


the motor wasn't making the noise before, so I assumed that my lifters would not just all of a sudden go bad during a cam swap



Symptoms of a leaking O ring would be decent, but not great oil pressure, ticking noise at idle or lower rpm, but not at a higher rpm. Caused by pulling crankcase air instead of oil around the O ring seal.

 

didn't read the part where you said u re used the o ring...............yes that sounds like that is it. I took a lot of time with mine to make sure I didn't pinch the o ring, but I now know you need a new one every time.

 

I got my car back together and drove it around for a couple hours............the new o ring and cam retainer plate fixed my prob my car is as quiet as its ever been

I know you don't want to tear yours back down, but I think that is prob your problem as well

 

Hey guys just got the car back today with the new Oring installed. Its got perfect PSI now. at Idle its 55psi and at 1500 it sits at 65psi. Also the ticking noise is gone. Thanks for the advice