When to worry about engine noises?

MRGTX said
I definitely appreciate all of the help and input. Just for the record as they say, I have two kids in diapers and a job that requires my phone to be completely off while I’m working…with blocks of about 10 minutes (if I don’t run long) when I could talk to anyone. It’s not as if I don’t plan to diagnose this by any means necessary but there is a reason why someone in my situation buys a crate engine. :)

Johnny, sorry I didn’t mention that you sent a PM. Thanks for doing that. I will call as soon as possible.

I’m using a mechanical oil pressure gauge in the car. I’m fine with using an external gauge for diagnostics but I have yet to buy a nice enough one that would be more credible than the one that is in the car (which is a petty standard auto parts store/ Bosch branded gauge). Any recommendations on which one to buy would be welcome.

I’ve only run Wix filters so far. I don’t have a lot of faith in Fram but it’s shocking to hear that such commonly used filters could be so negligently made. That’s chilling. Very cool of Blueprint to take care of this customer but I hope they were in turn helped out by Fram.

When you do PM back, please send me your serial # off your paperwork. It'll greatly speed up the process. I'll even send you some of our 10w30 oil to try, but again...lets pop the valve covers, and do some diag. I didn't realize you had a mechanical gauge on it. not that they all are accurate, but better chance of it being "good" than an electrical. A local Autozone will usually rent you tools like an oil pressure gauge, for just a $20 deposit, and refund in full when you return it. But before we get too deep, lets all remember this is a magnum based engine, with pushrod oiling. A few loose rockers, and it could be bleeding off pressure at the lifer/pushrod or Pushrod/rocker. Would have to be really loose, but I've seen more than one experienced racer make a pass that just "sounded a little off" and found a rocker arm laying in the head.