Well guys the "White Whale" is very ill, engine time......

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67Dart273

67Dart273

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I always get concerned when things go a little "too swell" 'cause then I start wonderin' what is gonna happen next. When I junked out the parts truck "White Whale II" and was taking the body up to the property to repose, the "White Whale" lost oil pressure at speed. Now, I knew I'd left that morning about 1/2--3/4 qt low (above the safe line) and I stopped, got out and added a quart and it picked it right up. This was in April, so it was cool weather

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I had gotten home OK, changed to I think 15-40 (you can't BUY heavy oil anymore) and had driven it some, no problems. "I thought we were OK"

So I made arrangements to go look at a lightweight little camper this morning, clear down in Mullan, ID. About an hour each way. Just got over 4th of July pass, the oil pressure went to nottin' and I got off the exit "right there." It had plenty of oil, and I added a quart. After it cooled down some, it DID pick up again, but I called my friend in town, he ran down and towed me home. I had the trailer with me, LOL, in case we could not get the camper on the pickup bed, I figured I'd haul it on the trailer. Nice light simple little camper, and not expensive...........Now I have to wait til Friday (Next time the seller is available). I'll have to measure the Dodge up and haul it home on the trailer behind the 98 Ranger LOL

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ANYway.........it's obviously time "fer sometin" I've got a 5.2 out of a Jeep is supposed to be OK, I may gamble and dump it in. Or, I may buy a crank kit and oil pump and re-do the bottom of this engine. It runs good, and does not use oil. "Just no oil pressure" LMAO
 
If it is intermittent like that, you may have debris in your oil pan. When it gets to the screen & blocks it, no more pressure.

Bits of failed valve stem seals can cause it. Worth dropping the pan & checking.
 
Both light AND gauge. The engine is coming out. Even if it's an "easy fix" like debri, new pump, I want to inspect the bottom end. It ran, now, for a grand total of maybe two minutes without pressure. Part of that time was on the trip in April, happened around a curve, with no shoulder. I had no choice but to keep going for ?? 1/8 mile?? or so

Well, the "White Whale" is in it's "normal" repose.....on the hoist.......and I'm done, and done FOR for today

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Dammit I SHOULD be workin on the Dart...engine assembly TODAY. But this hasta come first
 
Good luck Del. Gotta agree with you, working on the Dart would be way more fun!
The pics of the box camper...is that the one you want to get? Looks in great shape! I would love one for the Prospector.
 
Yes, that's right from the CL ad. Seems like a nice, upfront guy.

I was all ready to yank the 5.2 out of the Whale, but I think I will change that. The pan will have to come off ANYWAY, no matter what I do....... I was under the hoist looking at it, and it appears that if I jack the engine up a little (plenty of room under there) the pan will come right out. So for not the plan is to inspect all the bearings, and if they look OK, replace the pump. If not, out it will come.
 
It probably has sludge in the pickup screen. Replace it and I bet you're good to go.
 
I know one thing.........I'd be screwed without that hoist. LOL
 
UPDATE.....Just got it together and fired, and in fact hoisted the "new" camper up so I can install a front window. Rusty and I talked on the phone, and someone else suggested "sludge." Now, this thing LOOKED clean, but upon draining the pan, there was maybe? a tablespoon of LOOSE flakey sludge, not real sticky, and did not seem metallic. Take a look at the original oil pickup on the right........I can just "see" those flakes getting sucked up against the screen, until..................

I decided I "didn't like" the new style pickup (on right) so I ordered a pickup for about an 80 318 on the left. I KNOW I have a couple of those around here, ya think I can find 'em?

The "new" pickup is shaped like the bell on a kid's trumpet. Very small, and nothing to keep it off the pan. The old kind looks much better "to me"

Anyhow, the acid test will be a good hard highway run, I'll probably go "up and over" the pass with the overdrive off for a "test."

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Did you try swapping out the sender? I have replaced a few of these for this exact same condition.
 
No it was actually losing pressure. I could hear at least some of the lifters. For now, "only time" will tell. I hope to take it on a bit of a run in the next few days, barring the weather. Forecast is to "heat back up."
 
If it's sludge and debris makes me wonder what the lifter valley and under the valve covers looks like.

Seen an old ford Windstar minivan that both those areas where caked in dry hardened sludge/ varnish. Had to be opened up and vacuumed out then flushed and the pan pulled and pick-up replaced. Ran good after that again but nasty stuff.
 
This is not " build up" it's rather flakey and loose, but does not appear to be metallic. The rest of the bottom end does not show buildup. I wish I'd taken photos of the bearings and pump
 
FYI that jeep motor will have the starter on the other side.
It most likely will not work.
 
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