360 AMC oil pump (high volume)?

[chrislisa]

Does anyone know where I can find a High volume oil pump for my 1976 360 amc. I checked with melling, and they do not have a listing for one any ideas! Currently my oil pressure drops off at idle after warming up.

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Chris Blunck

[Ralph]

I've been told that you can increase oil pressure about 10 lbs. by putting a washer or two in the oil pump somewhere, but I don't remember know where. Call Jeff Kennedy at (614) 879-7283, and he advise you or refer you to a knowledgable AMC mechanic.

That's a bandaid fix, as I understand, because the problem is really excessive scoring in the timing chain cover housing, and replacing that part is the true repair.

[FSJ_Extreme]

If you do have to go the way of replacing the timing cover and pump. http://www.4wd.com and http://www.thejeep.com/8129373 have timing covers at a reasonable price.

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Sergio & Ulrike
1975 Wagoneer "Extreme"
401 AMC w/Edelbrock
Performer Package

[andy d]

meling states in its literature something like oil pumps handle volume problems.oil pressure is the result of pushing that volume of oil through small clearances in the various bearing journals.if the bearing clearances are excessive(worn out) oil pressure is less. i read this at a parts counter today.

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'88 gwag

[Aaron]

Mine is the same way. I don't think you need more then 1lb or so of oil pressure at idle. I mean I know it is way out of spec, but on a motor this old, what are you going to do. I used to run 10-40 and it would drop really low at idle. Now I run 20-50 and it stays at about 8lbs at idle and 30-50lbs at highway speeds. Sometimes if I have A/C on and the temp gets hot, it will drop to 20 at highway speeds. Think this is any reason to worry? I mean hell the truck is 21 years old and has 300,000 miles! It actually just passed PA emmisions! It has no cat, but it runs really clean!

[chrislisa]

Thanks for all of your information, I think for now I will just switch over to 20w 50 and let the old beast run!

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Chris Blunck

1976 Jeep Cherokee S