455 rebuild again/ Lesson learned.

amy

I thought some of you might want to see what happened on my first Buick 455 Engine rebuild.
First here is the link to my original post.
showthread.ph...build+progress
After taking my time with the build I decided to build a test stand because of some of the post I have seen here where members had Cam Bearing failure.I also removed the Poston intake and switched to the New Elderbrock along with a Mighty Deamon 800 CFM Carb. I set the rebuilt engine up on the test stand and it started right up. I made sure to prime the oil pump before starting it. I had printed out Larrys instructions on recurbing the Distributor. I used the Mr Gasket Curb Kit. I was very pleased with how it ran after adjusting the Carb. and adjusting the timing at 34*all in at 2000. Then modified the vac advance as Larrys instructions.In my spare time I ran the engine over a few weeks. The first thing I noticed was a slight rear main seal leak. I had used the Felpro Rear Seal from Poston so I ordered TA's Rear seal. When I removed the Oil Pan to replace the Seal there were Shinny silver flakes of Metal in the Oil Pan. I started checking and looking up at the Cam you could see the Cam Bearings starting to come apart.I took the engine all the way back down and want back with TA's Teflon Duel Groved Cam Bearings and a TA Timing Cover/Oil Pump assembly. Also I had the Block and Heads rechecked by another machine shop for any possible problems before reassembly. I believe the bearing failure was caused by to much oil pump load. I followed the oil pump rebuilld instructions but I must have missed something. I can tell a big differance from the rebuilt Oil Pump/timing cover and the TA Oil Pump/cover when priming with the Drill. The stock pump really put a load on the drill and the TA pump turns much easier.Today I started up the engine again. The first build had 75 PSI Oil pressure cold and 15 PSI hot. And the upgraded Engine now has 85 PSI cold and 27 PSI hot at 850 RPM. I will keep it on the test stand for the next few weeks before installing it.I have seen alot of post on budget rebuilds here and just wanted to recomend using the TA Cam Bearings and double check you're oil pump rebuild.

great info, thanks I'm in the process of freshing up my motor now and am going to install the ta oil pump assy.. cam bearing are going to have to wait...

My 350s old cam bearings were MUCH worse, and I swapped them with the engine still in the chassis.  That's a fine lookin motor you got there. Be careful not to blow any oil filters with that 85+ psi.

If you have an adj. regulator turn it out some to limit the high cold oil pressure. A stock relief spring is all it should need. This will not affect hot idle and cruise pressure. 75# is plenty.
Oh and that's one beautful looking engine. CLEEEAN!!!
Ray


Originally Posted by RG67BEASTIf you have an adj. regulator turn it out some to limit the high cold oil pressure. A stock relief spring is all it should need. This will not affect hot idle and cruise pressure. 75# is plenty.
Oh and that's one beautful looking engine. CLEEEAN!!!
Ray

I have a adj regulator from T/A it came with a (white) spring If I remember right it's 60# rated. I thought that the adj only effected the High side pressure ? I better call Mike before break in !                    ick