When to worry about engine noises?
Due to work and kids, it will likely be a few days before I can start the car again but I will double check my oil pressure. Even if the gauge is inaccurate, it's the same one that was hooked to the last motor and this one is reading consistently lower. Again, the tech I spoke with last summer said that it was within the safe range so it appears that it doesn't cross some level of concern for Blueprint.
It has Doug's headers and new gaskets. I retorqued all of the header bolts last summer when trying to track down the noise but it's worth checking them again. I don't believe it's an exhaust leak unfortunately.
As for the oil choice, I hope it's that simple and that no damage has been done.
Shell Rotella is rated for gasoline engines too. While it wouldn't be the oil I would ordinarily choose, using it in gasoline engines is certainly not unheard of. The extra zinc is something that is widely understood to be needed for flat tappet motors but (unless I TOTALLY missed it) there was nothing in the document stating that it would hurt roller motors. I specifically picked it to make sure I was obeying the recommendations.
I'm sorry to hear the car hasn't been flogged LOL.. that's all I've ever done with mine from day one. 20 minute break in at home three or four miles around the neighborhood and straight out to Woodburn....
Why would someone have a stroker motor 4-speed and Dana 60 and not flog at every chance ya ever got...
The 4spd only has about 200 miles on it! The clutch is still being broken in. As for the miles with the old 904, I was have been weary of high RPM. Don't get me wrong, it has seen 5k but not often and not for long.
In any case, the motor seems to be running strong so I'm optimistic that it's not fatally wounded by whatever is going on.