Thanks for all the replies..

I tried the old "spray oil everywhere" technique and it worked, oil pumped
out of the tower. Does this mean it's okay to start 'er up, or should I
perform further checks to make sure everything is being lubricated properly
(pistons, etc)? The engine wasn't rebuilt by me (Fast German Auto), so I
have no knowledge of the oil pump or oil pickup tube.

How about the oil pressure relief valve(s)..  ? I'm told there are two
underneath.

I have disconnected the VDO sender, concentrating on the spade.

---------------------------------------------------
Anthony Hecht
Somewhere Between Virginia and Tuesday
http://travelinvan.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: Joel Walker [mailto:jwalker17@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 4:01 PM
To: Anthony Hecht
Subject: Re: no oil pressure, new engine, need help!

> Problem is, the oil pressure light isn't going off. And, the
aftermarket oil
> pres and temp gauges are acting screwy. (The PO installed
these).
> So, I have an oil pressure tower thing sticking out of the tin.
On the
> bottom fitting, facing sideways, is the regular oil pressure
sender, brass
> bolt, plastic cone, one spade connector. Above that, sticking
out of the top
> fitting on the tower, is the VDO round silver thing with two
screw
> connections. When I crank the engine, the temp gauge completely
pegs high,
> pressure gauge does nothing and idiot light stays on. I
disconnected the two
> wires from the VDO sender and cranked, now the temperature does
nothing,
> pressure pegs, idiot light stays on. All of the connections
appear to be
> fine, nothing loose.

so where's the temp gauge sender?

what you described is the vdo oil pressure dual sender. don't
know why he's got the original sender sticking off to the side
like that. when i did my 80 bus, i used only the dual sender. one
of those screw connections is for the new vdo gauge and the other
one is for the original dash oil pressure light.

one thing about the oil pressure up there on the top of the
engine. when i put mine in, i had to remove the sender until the
oil was forced up and out (use a big rag or towel to keep it from
getting all over the place) of the t-thing. otherwise, there is
an air pocket inside the t-thing and the oil pressure will
compress the air, giving you phony readings.

you think that's the oil temp thingie sticking out to the side?
usually, the oil temp sender is on the bottom of the engine, in a
special round plate, over toward the right rear of the engine.

good luck!
joel