Thread: Intermittent oil pressure problems with my SBC

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OK, the cheapest and easiest thing to try is what 61bone suggested....remove the oil filter and then remove the filter adapter. It is a small die casting with two bolts holding it onto the block. The filter adapter costs something like $8 at the Chev dealer .. part number 3952301 ...do not buy a crappy imitation from China at the auto supply! ALso note that the adapter does not have a gasket between it and the block...if it does, there might be your problem. The oil filter has its own gasket. Keep aware of the adapter bolt torque...if the bolts are loose, this might be your problem. Also, check to see if the surface on the adapter that touches the block is warped.

If you cant find the torque specs on the adapter bolts, someone on this forum should have them. Also, check the bolt length...ask the chevy parts guy to look up the bolt length when he looks up the part number to check the one I gave you.

On the adapter is a phenolic looking disc and a spring. This is the check valve that bypasses the filter if the filter plugs up.

This is a cheap shot to try. IF the engine rebuilder had left the bolts loose OR there is a faulty gasket where there is not supposed to be a gasket, removing and tightening the oil filter would affect such. As another thought, you could (after the oil pressure fails) loosen and retighten the same filter to see if that brings the pressure back.