68 350 oil pump kit installation

[unclemustang]

Hi folks,
I am new to Buicks and have a newbie question.

I have a 68 Skylark I bought for SWMBO that has low oil pressure at idle ( the light comes on ). I ordered an oil pump kit and was wondering if there is anything I have to watch for when doing the installation?

Also, do I need to drop the pan? Someone said these pumps are external?

If this kit does not solve the problem I will have to dig deeper.

[Diver]

It will work and is easy to install. However, that is not a fix for low oil pressure just more flow. The oil pump puts more strain on the distrubitor gear. The problem could be excessive clearance between the old oil pump gear and the bottom plate, also worn engine.
Diver

[unclemustang]

I guess I'll see what happens. :-)

The other thing I notice is, when the car first starts I get about a second of rod rap, then I never hear it again. The engine runs nice , no noise, no smoke. Just that one second during start up.

[guyopel]

On 350 Buick eng. that noise is the front main brg. on cold startup and or front camshaft brg.Your eng. will run a long time with this noise .
Good luck with your ride . HTH
John

[68lark]

I put a new pump kit in my 68 skylark and kept the springs for the normal preasure rather than opting for the higher preasure springs that came with the kit. Remember to pack the pump with vasoline to prime the pump for the first start. This being my second skylark I have lived with barely any oil preasure at idle with both cars. The worst noise (to me) to begin hearing will be when one of the rockers chip under the valve covers and you get to take everything apart to replace it.
Best of luck with the new pump.

[pmettrup]

Before starting the engine remove the oil preassure sensor, fill the hole with as much oil as possible and refit the sensor. It helped me get pressure after taking the pump apart. But you must still fill the pump gears with vaseline.