Oh man, how embarrasing. (Uncle Tony/Nick's Garage)

RAMM said

I don't want to nit pick but the number one killer of oil pressure in the LA is worn out lifter bores and or lifter oil band exposure. Screwed cam bearings apply to all engines not just the LA. Their oil pressure problem is not the damn pushrod cup height. J.Rob

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I personally have repaired many SBMs that had wiped out cam bearings and no oil pressure. Several had previous attempts (in frame) to put crank bearings in, and one had a complete crank kit installed, new oil pumps yet still no oil pressure HOT. Replaced the cam bearings and NOTHING else (just cleaned and new gaskets) and had normal pressure. I can believe the lifter thing, as I have seen HP motors with oil band exposure issues (reduced base circle and/or unskirted rollers/dumbell lifters), but I don't think it's the issue here. I have thought before that maybe the LA having two bearings supplying oil (albeit to one bank each) overhead might amplify the problem compared to a B motor, and also the smaller rear bearing, but I don't know if either thing is a real factor. All they need is some lash caps if their length measurements are correct and they are truly on a "budget," but there is little or no oil pressure loss there. If it was, how could any AMC run solid lifters with overhead oiling??? SMH