I should have been more specific.
It was the main bearings going out, never made any noises out of the ordinary right up to the day I tore it down, which was at about 185,000 miles. We bought it at 100k and used it almost exclusively for towing and from what I was told the previous owner used it for towing mostly. So it had been worked fairly hard for most of its life.
I was having the exact same symptoms that you are, once the engine was warm it would have ~25 psi while cruising and drop to zero at every stop.
I pulled the engine and did a full rebuild. Turned it into a stroker with all new components and tried to make it better where I could.
That being said, the crank would have been reusable so I am assuming yours is probably fine too. So you can likely get by with new bearings through the motor and rings, but if you're in it that far I'd highly recommend a cam swap at least, and possibly freshening up the heads.
I've stopped driving it completely hoping to try to save the bottom end, I'm just going to hope for the best.
I'd love to stroke and cam it, just depends if i have to have it rebuilt or not.
Depending on cost and what I can get away with and still pass CA strict ass smog.
Damn, that doesn't sound like a good deal. Mine runs a solid 70 PSI just about all the time.
Lucky!
One way or another I'll have mine back to working order.
Vortec and tbi trucks were bad for oil pump pickups plugging and oil pumps giving up, your top end could be plugged and not letting it drain down well either, but if its only most noticeable between cold and hot then yeah it maybe time for bearings.
If possible drain the oil and scope it and look at the pump pickup. Next hook a mechanical test gauge up and confirm pressures. Happy hunting
Yep, plans for this weekend. I'm going to replace all seals, the pressure switch, oil pump and pickup tube and hope for the best.
If I get it all together and still have issues I'll pull it and have it rebuilt.
I would have a good look at your oil, and filter. Six months ago you seafoamed the engine, but only drove it for 90 miles before you drained the oil . You used half a container of seafoam ...I suspect you may have loosened a lot of old sludge but did not get it all out when you drained the oil.... and now it is in the sump and is blocking the oil pickup.. do something NOW and you might just save the bottom end.
I would take the whole motor out rather than try to change bearings in place...by time you remove the front diff and attack it from underneath, you could be done and dusted on an engine stand and be on the way back together.
Dang I forgot about the seafoam, good call thanks!
I'll drop the pan this weekend and hope to find something obvious like sludge in the oil pickup.
I've decided not to mess with the bearings myself, if they need to be replaced i'll have the engine rebuilt.