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MG MGA - No Oil Pressure

Hello Guys.I have decided to start working on my 1960 MGA after sitting for 12 years.I was halfway through a restoration when I stopped.The engine had just been rebuilt and I had about 15 minutes of idleing when it was put away.After changing the oil and filter I was able to get it to start pretty easily after cleaning up the points.My worry is I'm not showing any oil pressure on the gauge.I cant remember if the gauge was working before.I disconnected where the braided hose meets the metal hose and although oil is pumping through continuously it is not with alot of pressure.Probably about 3 drops a second.Any suggestion how I can check the oil pressure?Thanks
CJ Alem

I once checked my oil gauge by connecting it up to an air compressor and comparing the two gauge readings. I went up to 100 psi but if you don't have a compressor you could perhaps connect up a spare tyre and compare with a tyre gauge reading. If you have any doubts at all about the gauge I wouldn't start the engine before checking it.
It may not be the gauge however but air trapped in the engine oil line/pump. This happened to me and I remember backfilling a pint or so of oil through the engine block via the threaded flexible oil pipe outlet to get rid of the air..................Mike
m.j. moore

Thanks Mike.I will try the compressor trick tomorrow.I may have also been low on oil.I noticed that the valve cover gasket was not keeping oil in and when I put 3 qts of oil 1 to 1 1/2 qts of oil may have been lost.It was registering on the dipstick but low.I topped it off and although I am still not showing any pressure,when I remove the flexible hose the oil pumps continously.If I ran the engine with low pressure for about 3 minutes do you think I may have done any permanent damage?
CJ Alem

You should be able to get the pressure up by just spinning the engine with the plugs out. I have previously had success with Mike's trick of back-filling the oilway. Also, if you are using the aftermarket spin-on oil filter assembly it's worth filling the filter canister before spinning it on.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I once forgot to connect the braided hose to the oil gauge and I can assure you that I got a lot more than 3 drops a second out so I would say there is certainly a problem. I hope it is only low oil.

Paul







































Paul Dean

Thanks for your help guys.I tried the compressor trick.It just so happened my blowing attachment to my compressor screwed on perfectly to where the braided hose screws.I gave it a few blows of 100 psi air and it was the first time I was happy to find out something in my car didnt work.I then put the psi to 120 and gave it about 10 or 20 shots.All of a sudden it started working.I plugged in the oil line and I'm showing about 70 PSI at idle.I do think I probably got about 2 minutes of low pressure while the oil was filling the lines.Hopefully I didnt do too much damage
CJ Alem

This thread was discussed between 26/11/2014 and 27/11/2014

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