Check Gauges No Oil Pressure!!!!

[dr_amx]

On my way in to work this morning the car threw up a check gauges light and when I looked I had no oil pressure. How can I check the oil pressure for sure without harming the engine? How do you check the oil pump drive shaft that breaks in these? I hope this thing is not toast I am not ready for the rebuild yet.

1991 Spirit R/T TIII
-57 trim T3/T4 Turbo from FWDperformance
-FWD Performance Stage 3 Computer
-+40 (52 lb) injectors

[Turbo3Iroc]

On a TIII car I certainly wouldn't doubt that the the splines are tore up. To check it you'd have to take the timing belt loose and spin the I shaft by hand. It should be apparent that the splines are not engaged. If it didn't run long after the pressure drop you might be ok with a new pump, I shaft and new shaft bearings.

[turbovanman²]

You can hook up a real oil pressure gauge and see what you get for pressure. If you crank it and you have nothing, then its fubared.

[dr_amx]

Is it best to roll this engine to TDC when loosening the timing belt to check the shaft?

[tryingbe]

The most common issue is bad sensor and bad connection. Check those first.

[Turbo3Iroc]

You don't get a CEL light with a bad sensor. Most times when the sensor does start to fail it will read normally, suddenly drop and then come back up. If the shaft splines are bad then it will just drop. If you think it might be the sensor, go and buy a mechanical oil pressure gauge and just run the starter. If it has anything it will show up.

[turbovanman²]

Is it best to roll this engine to TDC when loosening the timing belt to check the shaft?

Its always best to line up the marks when doing a timing belt or removing it. I go one step further and use a paint pen, if reusing the belt, makes reinstallation a snap.

[dr_amx]

Thread from the dead hope that's OK. I finally am getting around to resolving this issue. I have torn it apart and found that the gear on the oil pump is sheared in one spot. I have ordered the new I shaft and oil pump. I am wondering if anyone has a link to a changing timing belt how to? With pics would be nice. I am not real sure how to set the tension correctly.

[tryingbe]

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/enginetiming.html

[dr_amx]

Thanks that should get me in the neighborhood with my TIII. I have tried searching but I am not coming up with much.

[turbovanman²]

Its pretty easy, set crank at TDC, the 2 holes in the cam gears face each other, use a drill bit to lock them, I think its a 5/16. Loosen rocker arms to take the tension off the cams, route the belt, install the tensioner then remove the drill bits, tension and tighten rocker arms, done.

You need a tension gauge, you want 95 lbs and put it between the cam gears.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENT-MOORE-T...7b7e9f&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/J-26486-Timm...6d916e&vxp=mtr

[dr_amx]

Thanks for the link on the Tension gauge. That was a big question of mine.

[dr_amx]

Sorry to revive a very old thread but I just wanted to say that the car is now running again. I destroyed 3 sets of bearings installing new ones for the intermediate shaft. I finally ended up making a tool to pull the outer bearing in. Fells goods to finally have my TIII back on the road.

[going4speed]

I dont think you have to apologize for reviving your own thread.

Congrats on figuring it out man!!