1979 chevy 305 low oil pressure at idle!?!?!

[LTZ C20]

Yes. Oil pumps are cheap insurance. Not worth trying to clean it out. You can clean it but I would just replace it. It's easy and doesn't take much time, since you already have the pan off. Probably have much better oil pressure when your done.

You will need:
-oil pump, standard pressure is fine for a stock engine. A Mellings brand or simular is good, AC Delco is even better if you can but not required.
-oil pick up tube
-plastic oil pump drive shaft retainer ring (this usually comes with the new pump)
-oil pick up tube retainer of some type. Also very cheap insurance. Prevents the tube from rattling out from vibration.

The pick up screen should be flat and parallel to bottom of the oil pan.

[Boxchevrolet]

i went ahead and replaced the oil pump and the oil pickup, now all i have to do is fill with oil

[LTZ C20]

Don't forget to put the pan back on first haha.

[Irish_Alley]

and oil drain plug

[LTZ C20]

and oil drain plug

That being the most important.

[Boxchevrolet]

haha i did, i tell you what one piece oil pan gaskets make life a lot easier when the motor is in the truck, will update y'all tomorrow on the oil pressure and idle issues, thank y'all again

[LTZ C20]

Yes they do.

[Boxchevrolet]

update, i was able to get it to idle at 800 but it is extremely rough idling, timing is at 8 degrees btdc. and idle mixture screws are 1&1/2 turns out, any ideas of why its running so rough? valve adjustment? i checked for vacuum leaks but couldn't find any, and now my oil pressure is roughly 10-12 hot psi at 800 with is better than 6, but i may add a quart of 20-50 to bring it up a little more, what do y'all think?

[Boxchevrolet]

anybody?

[LTZ C20]

You have already gained double your old oil pressure reading. Again, as long as it's not making noise, be responsible with your oil changes. There should be no need to add 1 quart of oil that is different than the rest of the oil in the engine. Drive it, monitor your pressures at various rpm ranges, check to see that it matches the 10 psi per 1000 rpm guideline or is pretty close.

[Jason S]

update, i was able to get it to idle at 800 but it is extremely rough idling, timing is at 8 degrees btdc. and idle mixture screws are 1&1/2 turns out, any ideas of why its running so rough? valve adjustment?

Have you checked for a fouled plug(s), sticking lifter(s), plug wire not seated, corrosion of terminals in distributor?

[Boxchevrolet]

plugs are brand new, there is a ticking noise but I've figured it was a exhaust leak because I've adjusted valves 3 times, all spark plug wires are seated, and no corrosion on terminals

[Boxchevrolet]

still can't get it to idle smooth at 800, very choppy idle

[bd]

If you hover the carburetor with a rag, does the idle smooth out?  Any chance the 'tick' is a plug wire arcing to ground?

[Boxchevrolet]

i can't comment on hovering with a rag due to it raining outside right now, and i don't believe so