Since the case was not opened, I have to ask if there was a lot of carbon
and sludge in the back of the heads?  If so, this stuff was loosened and is
now in the crankcase.  Clogged screen a real possibility.  Unfortunately,
only fix is to completely tear down the engine to clean/replace the screen.
At this point, change all bearings.  Check case for wear, possibly needing
an Align Bore.  Avoid urge to install oversize oil pump.  They bring on a
new set of problems.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Kimmons <akimmons@PDQ.NET>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, August 03, 1998 9:10 PM
Subject: Re: low pressure on 87 rebuild...the saga continues

>Sorry to wait so long to get back to you...
>I've appreciated the advice.
>
>I only rebuilt as far as the piston rings.
>
>Started out to be a head gasket change and then I found a broken
>oil seal on the pistons. Now I wish I had gone ahead with the whole
>rebuild.
>
>A clogged oil screen is only one of my thoughts.
>Last night I ran it around the neighborhood on my first drive
>since installing the oil pressure gauge. It read normal for
>about the first mile and half, but then the light came on, the pressure
>began to drop, and then the buzzer. By the time I got home
>it was only reading  maybe 5-8 psi.
>
>Tonight after work I let it idle in the driveway for about 15 mins.
>It ran very good at first (pressure normal at 29) but at about 10 mins
>the idle ran up to 2200 and stayed there until I pushed the gas.
>Then it would level off at 950 for a few seconds and then go back up to
>2200. At this same time, when the high revs were occuring the oil
>pressure began to drop. I decided to turn it off then.  When I tried to
>restart right away, it started right up, but it would not gain oil
>pressure beyond 5-8psi.
>
>Any thoughts?
>I am thinking of giving in and taking it into a mechanic and getting
>some sort of computer diagnosis????
>THANKS