I'm being told by my mechanic that I have super low oil pressure n that I should change out my engine...... is there any other solutions??? I'm thinking I mite as well just buy an Ls engine and call it a day?? What do u guys think??

 

What does he call super low oil pressure? How does it run? You could run 20w50 oil that will bring it up.

Eric

 

rite.

Wat is ur oil pressure?

How thick is ur wallet for an LS swap?

Do u rlly like reading when other people type in semi-english?

- Eric

 

 

X3 - whats your oil pressure at idle hot and cold? What is it at cruise hot and cold? What oil viscosity and brand are you using and what filter.

 

go buy a nice oil pressure test gauge and check it yourself and post your results here.

 

For a lot less than an LS swap you can have a bottom end overhaul, come to that you could probably rebuild your Olds engine to as new if it is unmodified and still have a big chunk of change.
Does your mechanic want to supply and fit a new engine for you?.
On the face of what you wrote it sounds like you need a new mechanic. Of course I don't know the whole story from one post...

Roger.

 

My engine just sounds weak. While I'm driving the pressure barley wants to get out of single digits. No they don't have an Ls engine but they are more than happy to install it.... I was thinking Ls because I kno they are reliable and always fun to drive.

 

I'll definitely go get a 2nd n 3rd opinion...... but if anything I was thinking a used Ls1 or 2.. or I've even heard of people putting in truck motors n transmission. Any on-site would greatly be appreciated

 

And does anyone know will my 350th hook up or do i need to buy a complete engine n trans set up

 

Ok, you do NOT need a new engine and transmission. You DO need to figure out what is wrong with your current one. It could be that the fix is cheap and easy. Get an oil pressure gauge and verify it has low oil pressure. What do you mean by "sounds weak?"

What engine do you have?

 

Define this.



So your oil pressure goes as high as 11psi while driving?
How high at idle?
How high when first started cold?
Have you confirmed that your gauge is accurate?
As asked earlier, what viscosity oil are you using?

Pressure while driving (over 1,000 to 1,500 RPM) should be at least 30psi.

IF your oil pressure gauge is accurate, then at minimum you probably need to replace bearing shells and your oil pump (this is a case in which I would recommend a high volume oil pump), though with everything apart, it would be reasonable to consider a complete rebuild.

An LS engine is an option, if you don't mind spending extra time and money.

- Eric

 

Well while I'm on the gas it get up to 30 or 40 but @ a red lite it drops down to single digits.... I'm hearing a lil knocking while it's in idle. And I'm spewing black smoke both tail pipes

 

If I'm going to do a full rebuild why not just replace the engine??

 

I drove a 307 that maybe saw 5 psi at idle and tops 20 lol. I had it in my 72 for 1 summer. beat the living crap out of it.

I let a friend of mine have it he put it in a demo derby car and when he was done he yanked it and it was put into a spectator race circle track car lol.

You couldnt kill it !!!

 

If you go through with your swap, you'll most likely need and adapter plate for a BOP trans to an LS engine and an adapter flex plate kit. You'll also need the LS engine bracket kit and then all the electronics/wiring for the engine as well.

 

That's within the normal range for that engine. Your "mechanic" doesn't know what he's talking about.
Replace the mechanic, not the engine.



If you have a rod knock, that's a different story. We need to know more about this knocking sound.



So it's running rich.

Guess your "mechanic" isn't astute enough to recognize that.

You need to tune it properly, or find someone who can.



Because you can't just get new Oldsmobile engines, and replacing it with a non-Oldsmobile engine requires a good deal of additional parts and modifications, as Eric noted above.

How much money is your "mechanic" expecting to extract from your wallet for this swap?

- Eric

 

I've been looking on eBay and few other sites, complete set ups (engine, trans, wires, a.c. compresses, etc) are in the range of $4000 to $6000. I have about $5000 that am able to spend before the wife rings my neck. Maybe you guys can point me to another mechanic in the ft.lauderdale area?? To get a second opinion or may even have an Ls2 for sale?

 

Don't forget the installation incidentals that will be over and above can lead to another $1000-1500. Don't ask me how I know.

 

Once you tune the engine up, get it idling properly the black smoke out the tail pipes will go.
Knocking.. you should post a video here for the other members here that posted to have a listen, these guys are much better at helping you than you current mechanic.
Spend some time asking questions here about tuning, identify the knock here with a video, purchase a good oil gauge, vacuum gauge and timing light if you don't have one.
That could save you 9k on the LS engine with installation and keep you in the true Oldsmobile game.
Either way its your choice,
All the best with your decision.
Eric

 

You know that guy, that when he comes some place for advice, and gets told something he apparently does not want to hear, then he does opposite of what everyone is telling him and expects everyone to agree with his choice? Yeah, don't be that guy.

 

X2, I was doing the engine decision making thing a couple years ago myself. From buying a used freshened up engine to a complete build to an LS transplant in my 76.
I finally came to the realisation that I would be happy with what I had. Drive and enjoy the car for what it was.
Decisions are not easy to make, especially when you have 5K in your pocket burning a hole bigger and bigger lol.
Its all about what you have and what you need to make you happy.
Guys here can only help to advise and help diagnose the issues at hand, or they can help you spend the 5K you have ready to go, plus an additional 4-5k to get you motorin'

Eric

 

I don't think he's that guy, he is weighing his options and gathering info.

 

Lol, I'm definitely weighing my options. I would love to save the money but I want to b able to drive my car without the stress lol........ for some reason it's not letting me upload the videos I made, maybe cause I'm on a cell phone ...but the knocking is not to bad (yet) but if I pinch the vacuum line it gets pretty bad on the passenger side. The valve cover is also smoking kno that side (guessing from a leak)...... Any good mechanics in the pompano, Fl area? And my plugs and such are pretty new. How else do i go about tuneing my old's 350??

 

And a new issue is I had the car idling for the last 30min in my driveway.... I tap the gas and the car shuts off? What is going on with my baby?? She needs a good mechanic... thanks

 

why not install a new oil pump and a timing chain?
have the carb rebuilt if it is spewing black smoke,
changing to an LS will cost a little more than you think.

Gene

 

If your oil pressure is low and a engine knock you will need to rebuild or replace the engine. I chose to rebuild my motor because all the bracket mounts for the power steering, alternator and air conditioning would not need to be replaced or modified. The motor is a 330 CI 320 HP and replaced the transmission with a 200 4R for a lot less than a LS swap. I have a 85 GMC pickup which I did a LS swap and could not be happier, but the cost was way over your 5K budget.