p.s. might just be oil pressure sending unit

 

finally able to pull the distributor nothing looked broken & while I had it apart I changed the oil pressure switch. let it get to operating temp & still had the same issue. oil pressure dropped to the first line above zero & stayed there. when I gave it gas it would jumped to around 30 or 40 then bottom out when i let off the gas.

 

I'm not trying to be pessimistic but your either gonna need to rebuild the motor/ replace it. Or just do nothing. My dad drove a truck then i got it later with the same oil pressure readings for over 5 years. After warming up the pressure dropped next to zero. Truck ran fine, we pulled trailers, raced it, and made it do more than it should have. It died last year becasue the family member we sold it to drove it mixing oil/coolant for at least a month. Sadly all it was is an intake gasket that failed... not even the head gasket. Drive it till it dies. Motors dont need much oil pressure at idle, its the biggest misconception with vehicles. Now as long as it gets above 10 while driveing above 1000-1500 rpm its ok.

 

Im wondering if you dont have a bad oil pump and that banging noise you heard was the teeth on the pump breaking.With that kinda oil pressure your engine isnt going to last very long.You dont have anything knocking in the bottom end of the engine?

 

i dont have any noise in the bottom end, thats whats so confusing. i dont think the oil pump is bad, i'm beginning to think it may be sludge on the oil pump screen. i think im going to try seafoam or gumout, then drive it for a few days & change the oil again to see what is there

 

Well heres a list of a few things that maintain your oil pressure in your engine,Rod and main bearings,cam bearings and the oil pump.Its possible your oil pump is weak.If you can drop the pan change it.They dont cost the much.You will also find out if the 2 part shaft between the distrib and oil pump are stll together.

 

i still cant get good oil pressure, so i guess im going to pull the motor and rebuild it. thanks for all the help & suggestions

 

Have you tryed removing the pan to see if anything is in there such as clogged oil screen?Before removing the engine I would try that and just run some 20-w50 in it.

 

Like 1st said try heavy oil and IMPORTANT a can of motor honey/ STP. Nothing lost and thirty thousand to gain.

Every time I have had shot bearings from coolant in oil this has helped in getting pressure back for a long time.

If it does not help it sounds like your ready to break the motor appart anyway.

 

1sttimejimmyowner, i've decided to pull the motor because i believe the bearings are shot. in order to remove the pan i have to undo many parts, so if im gonna do that i figure just pull it and then im not trying to do any replacements under the vehicle. Spittybays, running a heavier oil and motor honey would be a temporary fix & i looking for a permanent fix. i do appreciate all the info and comments. it has really helped me figure out a course of action. i will post what i find later this week.