I had the exact same problem with my '80 Spit. Dropped to about the same
pressures you said at highway speed, then would drop to about zero at idle
after a run. Tried everything I could think of, rebuilt the engine etc.
etc. Finally, I replaced the block and the problem is gone. Must have
had a hairline crack in it somewhere. You might also check your oil pump
and relief valve.
Cecil
'65, '80 Spitfires
'62 Vitesse
MTAltomare wrote:
> Hi, I am new to the Spitfire list and have a problem with my '77 1500
> that I could use some help with. After about 700 miles on my newly
> rebuilt engine, the oil pressure suddenly dropped from about 50 psi to
> about 25 psi while at highway speed. (I added an oil pressure gage to
> the right hand panel and checked it against a shop gage.) I also have
> oil coming from the dipstick tube.
>
> The compression is 150 psi on all 4 cylinders. I would suspect a worn
> rocker shaft since this was not replaced in the rebuild, but wear
> produces a gradual drop, not a sudden drop in pressure. I suppose I
> could have a crack in the oil pump housing. Any ideas?
>
> MTA
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