Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Why Do My Oil Filters Keep Failing So Soon After Startup
My latest quandary with my engine is ballooning oil filters. As soon as the engine fires it pegs the oil pressure gauge and shoots oil out of the top of […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Solving a No Oil Pressure Problem on a Freshly Rebuilt LS Engine
I just finished assembling a rebuilt Gen. IV 5.3L LS engine. I’ve deleted the AFM on this engine and I’ve tapped and plugged the stands inside the engine lifter valley. […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Should I Run a High Pressure/High Volume Oil Pump in My Street/Strip 383 SBC Stroker Engine?
I’m building a 383ci small block Chevy for my 1980 Malibu that will see a combination of street use with some fun runs at the drag strip. I don’t plan […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Troubleshooting Low Oil Pressure on a Freshly-Built Chevy 454 Big Block
I recently built a Gen VI 454 big block Chevy street engine that came out of a late model Chevy truck. I had the local machine shop do all the […]
Video: Tricks & Tools to Pressure Lube a Modern Engine
Recently, we ran an article on knowing the difference between oil pump primers. While the story focused on earlier V8s with distributor-driven oil pumps, we also touched briefly on modern […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Diagnosing Oil Pressure Drops in a Big Block Chevy
I have a big-block Chevy in a ‘69 El Camino that I just purchased. I really don’t know much about the engine other than it is a 454 with an […]
Mailbag: Why Has My Cam Swap Caused Oil Pressure Loss?
Q: I have a 350 Chevy engine that’s basically stock but is bored .030-inch over, has flat top pistons, and an Edelbrock Performer intake and 600 cfm carburetor. I just put in […]
Mailbag: Low Oil Pressure and How it Affects Your Engine Bearings
Q: I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me: Could low oil pressure (15-20 psi) spin a main bearing or otherwise ruin an engine? How can you […]
Mailbag: Diagnosing Insufficient Oil Pressure & Oil Starvation
Q: I have a 1985 Camaro Z/28 with the 305 TPI in it. When I was just cruising around, I glanced at my oil pressure gauge. One minute it was normal, the […]
Quick Guide to Diagnosing Common Oil System Problems
Your dad probably taught you the importance of checking a vehicle’s oil level shortly after you got your first Big Wheel. And right around potty training, he probably also trained you to “change […]