oil pressure / vibration issue

My 545 gets low oil pressure with a vibration around the 1000' mark at the track. I balanced the tires, which took some vibration away, but not all of it. Combo has been together since 2009. Scat kit with the "p" main bearings. I use a 10" deep front sump pan with canton windage tray, 6.5 qts oil. HV oil pump. Time for new rod and main bearings?????

I'd pull the pan and take a look just given the number of passes on her. But I'd look at driveline for vibration. If it's a hard hooker check your driveshaft.

Thanks. It is a foot brake car , usually 1.58 - 1.60 60' times.

Have you cut open the oil filter and checked for bearing flakes?

I have not done that. Is it easy to spot inside the filter?

If the bearings are in trouble there will be lots of glitter.

If that's a Canton 15-750 pan....they call it 8 qts. w/filter.

Thanks for the info

It is actually a stock pan with a deeper sump , made to fit the canton pickup.

Glen is the vibration present at the same or near engine speed in another gear? Although you may have a problem within the engine rearing it's ugly head, I believe as others have wrote, drive-line issues. You say balancing the tires helped. Have you performed routine maintenance on the drive-line? Grease U-joints and/or inspected? Looked for loose U-joint fasteners? How about a weight that has been thrown from the driveshaft? Transmission's output shaft bearing or bushing? Torque converter/flexplate/ flywheel balance weight? If a harmonic balancer with a rubber insulator applies, has the outer balance ring slipped?

The engine should have give some sign of a problem gradually unless a piston skirt has broken, if the vibration is of a mechanical malfunction, or could it be the engine's state of tune? You wrote of low oil pressure, what amount of oil pressure is present during your concern and the duration of the concern?

Just a few ideas,
Dave.

I only notice vibration while car is in 3rd gear, somewhere near 110-115 mph. Wide open, oil pressure goes down to the "low" end of gage, again in 3rd gear. I have not had driveshaft off this year, so I'll look closely at that. I used to run 20w-50 oil (vr1), but have been running 10w-30 this year, maybe just need more volume of oil in pan. I'm removing oil filter right now to take a look.  

Glen it seems as your concerns are listed, the vibration is speed related, not an engine issue at this point. Check the areas I previously posted. The engine's oil pressure as you wrote only occurs near the end of the run. The simple reason is an inadequate supply of oil to the oil pump's pickup. Whether it's the amount of oil you choose to carry in the oil pan or oil drain back issues, the needed amount of oil seems insufficient.

Dave.

You guy's were right on the money!!! I removed the driveshaft and found the front u-joint had loosened up in the caps. I took the trans extension housing off, and the rear bushing was worn. I also believe oil issue was insufficient supply - added two quarts to fill the sump back to where full level was before we deepened the sump. I greatly appreciate the help with all the ideas that were shared . Thanks again  

Rocky mountain raceway (SLC) having a money race Aug 23,24,25 so gotta be ready to go for that! Having the trailer tongue lengthened so I can take my 10' camper on back of truck while towing car trailer. fun fun