The 79 12A manual says:

Idle pressure, 14-54psi
3k operating pressure, 64-79psi

For what it's worth, I'm inclined to agree with you.

 

Thanks. I just ran the engine. It turns out my oil pressure is right in line with stock specs after all. Idle is right at 14 psi. When I rev it to 3k, it sits at 71psi. Oil temp is fully warmed up at 190°F (measured in the pan with the compost bin thermometer).

Thanks for all your help!

 

Pulled pan and front cover, oil pump checks out everything that i can see looks good EXCEPT chunks of metal in the oil pan and on the oil pump pickup

 

post pics of the metal found...

 

Thrust assembly?

 

post pics later, its flat pencil lead sized chunks that ARE magnetic , im thinking bearing material

(to big to go through oil pump screen, and filter was clean cut it open)

 

Seeing if this works

http://cid-1128820cd29a01c1.skydrive...0CD29A01C1!113

Its my skydrive album with the tear down pics and pics of the metal peices>

 

pics of material in previous link

 

It's not really bearing "material" as in the babit material. Those steel objects are needle bearings from the thrust assembly. The carrier has failed and the little bearings fell out. Time to grab some used parts and set end play! Aim for .002" to .003"

 

thrust assembly is brand new appearing i think it was material from previous rebuild that just stayed in the motor and finally made its way to the pan