350 oil p/u tube height

I have searched and cannot find out the distance from the oil pump pickup tube to the bottom of the oil pan. My problem is it seems my oil pressure seems really low at idle with a reman. engine. It reads about 5 lbs at 600-700rpm`s. I am measuring with a electric VDO gauge, with the sending unit in back of the manifold with a 90 degree elbow. I placed the oil p/u screen about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the pan, and wondering if it is causing a restriction of some sort?

 

1/4 -3/8" from pan bottom.But 1/2" ain't why the o/p is low. Do the lifters clatter off idle.Check o/p with a real gauge.

T.OUT

 

No noise at the lifters. I did leave out that it is low only when it gets hot. Yea, I know I need to ck with a mech gauge. Just trying to think it out first.

 

I suspect your guage is the error....a chevy wont survive 5 pound oil pressure very long at all.

 

The pickup can be 1/2" away and not cause problems.

One thing to check before you get too far along with it is the distributor, I've seen a couple cases where the dist housing was a loose fit in the block and let oil pressure escape from the lifter oil galleys.

Also I hope you've changed the oil and filter once or twice since you got it running!

 

Crazy Question.......How do you check P.U. height? If the pan is on the motor how do you measure? Thanks

 

easy, take the pan off and use a ruler.