I have test fired my Olds 215 a few times to make sure I have wiring, fuel, etc. hooked up correctly. I have had to shut down within a few seconds every time because the oil pressure on my analog gauge climbs steadily. I shut if off when it reaches 80 psi (and still climbing) because I am worried something is wrong. I changed oil filters (wix) but with the same results. I am using fresh 10w-40 oil. Can anybody point me in the right direction here?

Thanks.

 

I'm no expert on the old 215, but if it were me, I'd be trying another oil guage to confirm your current readings.

I would also be looking at trying another sending unit, or at least confirm its sending the right info-is it the correct sending unit for the guage? There is a difference between electric and mechanical guage sending units.

After that, I'd be looking at the oil filter housing to make sure the by pass spring is correct. Thats an assumption based on if its like the later housings...which I don't know.

 

I will try to get another oil gauge to double check, but it is plumbed directly from the filter housing to the gauge w/ copper line - No electronics or sending units to be bad.

I snapped a pic of the oil pressure bypass plug, spring, and piston. Everything seemed to be assembled right - piston - spring - plug, and thee piston moved freely in the bore. I think that the way this works is that oil pressure will build until it gets high enough to overcome the force of the spring, at which point it will force the piston/spring combo down until the oil bypasses. Can anybody confirm this? Anyways, I have no way of knowing how to check if the spring is correct, any ideas?

IMAG0181.jpg

IMAG0184.jpg

 

Try checking the movement after it's been warm - things expand on that motor!

 

The engine has only run for ~ 3 seconds at a time, nothing is able to get warm enough to cause a problem.