Slapped together a 22r- cleaned and rebuilt everything but the block. dropped it in my 82 Odyssey RV (pickup chassis) Started fine, set timing, lost oil pressure after driving a short distance, ended up chewing up a rod bearing a bit.

Oil level correct.
No leaks.
Oil pump appears to be in good shape.
Replaced meter with after market gauge- pressure spikes at start-up then disappears.

This is a total mystery to me and everybody I know who knows anything about this engine.

Blocked galleys or ports? The meter port appears to be clean at least.

Could the junk from the bearing have clogged the filter that quickly? Would this matter?

I did not prime the pump (which I have since read about in this site). Would that make the difference?

Once I replace the bearings and put it back together, I'd love to have this problem licked as well (for obvious reasons).

Help please.

PS: any advice on replacing rod bearings with the engine in the vehicle? Seems pretty straight forward to me...

 

One more thing. It occurs to me that the bearing issue may be the cause, not the effect, since I never rebuilt the block. If the bearing went first, would that drop the oil pressure?

 

Did you drop the oil pan and clean the oil pickup screen? There are probably a ton of other things that could cause it, but that's one thing I can think of...

 

I assume when you say the pump appears to be in good shape you checked it per specifications? Make sure the woodruff key was in? If that checks out, I'd drop the pan and inspect the pickup assembly. Often times on a rebuild, it can fall out, or become clogged, both of which would cause an immediate and total drop in oil pressure. Just some ideas.

 

i would think the bearing is the cause. a spun bearing will deffinatly kill your oil pressure

 

Replaced rod bearings, all is fine after many miles.