OK, most of you know that my car sat for almost 2 years b4 I bought it and got it running again. I have been noticing a trend I am not sure that I like as of late.

When i got the car up and running after replacing a few bent valves and all related gaskets, the car would hold oil pressure with no issues overnight. Now I am noticing that sometimes it takes longer for the ! light to shut off and pressure to build. I have tried 2 diff oil filters to make sure that I had one with an anti-drainback valve in it, and am currently running the Mahle filter.

Sometimes it builds right away, and sometimes it takes 5-10 seconds where I nervously watch the gauge until it jumps up. My oil pressures are normal while running and idleing at all temp, it's just this "morning sickness" that I don't like. Am I looking at the oil pump seal, or something else?? Thanks!

 

I would check your OPRV first. My 951 had this issue a few years ago and it was small debris on the piston of the old style 3-piece OPRV. I upgraded to a newer 1-piece conversion valve and it's been good since. If your OPRV is the 1-piece check the O-ring for wear or crud that might keep it from sealing right.

 

OPRV

 

+3. For as much as it's role as OPRV, it also holds prime.

 

Thanks for the reply's - I'll have to pull it and check, I resealed the oil cooler during my build, and it's possible that the seal got messed up or got some crap on it.

 

I'll be the fourth to suggest the OPRV. I had a similar problem where mine wouldn't come up to pressure at all. So after nervously taking apart the oil filter in search for bearing material, I took out the OPRV, checked alignment, cleaned it, and reinstalled. Everything ended up just dandy.

 

I had a similar problem on my old n/a. When replacing the oil cooler seals I nicked the green o-ring.. I replaced it again and all is well

 

Where in the motor is the OPRV located?

 

OK just wanted to conclude that it WAS the OPRV. I have the stock 3 pieve valve, and replaced it with another 3 piece valve. Changed it out yesterday, parked the car in the garage, started this morning and pressure was instant!! My old one had some gouges or knicks on the face on one side and I'd imagine that even with new seals etc, it was bleeding past. One less thing to worry about now. Hooray!

 

I'll post this here rather than start a new thread since it is oil pressure related.

Paragon has two oil pressure senders: APA brand for $39.30 and VDO brand for $92.45. Pretty big price difference. Anyone have feedback on the APA brand unit, good or bad?

 

I have the APA brand. Works just fine for the last year!

 

Good to know, thanks Doug.

 

I know it's an old thread but this wasn't answered and wanted to post a picture of where it is for future searches. This is the oil filter housing on the passenger side of the block. The red arrow points to where the OPRV threads into the housing:

 

Excellent! Thanks!

 

I assume it can be easily changed while changing the oil?