Oil pressure problem need help fast.

[t/a 6.6]

I have a 1986 2.3 Ranger. It has 130,000 miles on it. I just put in a new cam shaft, lifters, all those goodies. The trucck has gone through 2 other cam shafts. I was on the free way and all of a sudden the oil preasure fell to nothing. Whe i start it i hear a lot of lifter noise for a couple of secounds, then it goes away. The oil presure will be fine for a couple of minutes then fall back down. When i let off the gas i can hear a vibrating sound from the engine bay. I could really use some help. As this is my only mode of transportation.

[DonSor]

Assuming that your oil pump and filter are in good shape, sounds like you have a restriction or two in the oil passages in the engine block. Maybe that explains your two previous problems with your camshaft. Also I think that your lifters are shot. They should remain charged even after shutting down your engine. You might try an engine oil flush, see if that makes any difference.

[rhandwor]

I would take a test gage and monitor the pressure. They look like this you should be able to buy one at a parts store.
http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_2001.htm
I think you will have to pull the pan and clean the strainer you may need a new pump. I would check the rod bearings and a couple of main bearings while you are in their.
You may have to pull some items and jack up the engine to get the pan of of the truck.
Hopefully the camshaft bearings are ok.
Make sure you read the previous post.

[spytearbite]

Originally Posted by [LEFT

rhandwor[/left]]I would take a test gage and monitor the pressure.

Yep, I would watch that pressure gauge. A beer in one hand and the other hand is ready to turn the engine off. Watch the pressure sitting in the car. You are going to turn the key off once you see the pump is junk warming up to zero pressure drop.

I do not know what else it could be if you had a clear oil galley when you first lit up the the engine with new parts. Then on the road the car loses oil pressure?

No oil puddle on the ground? Then you have a sealed, tight engine. I would suspect the oil pump is a worn wiper to scooper and that could cause air bubbles in the oil, (yes the engine does bubble lube at high speeds is that turbine action on the pump blades to tumble bubbles like you see boiling water?

I would say lower end and big end rod bearings, but you do not have a bottom end knocking noise, or do you?

[rhandwor]

You may need a rental car until you get done.

[t/a 6.6]

No there is no bottom end noise. And i am begining to think that a rental would probably be a good idea.

[rhandwor]

Look for discoloration at the cam bearings. Lack of oil they should be dark colored because of lack of oil. I would talk to a machine shop and tell them exactly what you have so he can tell exactly what to blow out and run a wire through.
Look at the Ford tractor forum and send a private email to Mr. PBody he has a machine shop.

[spytearbite]

It cannot I would assume, be a loose oil pump on the block. I would assume there is not loss of rod from pump to worm gear off the cam/or say/pump chain to whatever drives the oil pump. there are no components that are failed mechanically.

So, that internal impeller loss or air mixed with oil is more like 50/50 percent air and oil flowing like they use in F1; is a sort of sub-bladder air catcher to keep the bubbles at a minimum. You have hot oil way over 212F so you are bound to have air bubbles, meaning.

Now, you may have a rounded pump shaft to cam worm gear, (to spin the pump)? That thick oil wants some resistance as the engine revs and the pump shaft from pump to cam gear is stripped inside the pump? Man, you know zI am reaching for some bizarre (oil loss) moves.

I know it is something so simple it is going to 20/20 hindsight you right out of the tub.

[t/a 6.6]

Thanks for your help guys. I found the problem. I hooked a mechanical gauge up to it and the gauge showed that it had plenty of preasure. Then the truck started sputtering and died. To make a long story short, the alternator had gone bad, and the system didn't have enough power to move the gauges.