Michael,
Assuming that you are using good multigrade detergent oil and changing it at
regular intervals, you shouldn't have such a sludge problem. Only reasons that
come to mind are very short trips where the engine doesn't warm up and
condensation builds up in the engine or you have an internal coolant leak. The
coolant mixes with the oil and foams up, thickening the oil. Pressure test your
cooling system to see if it bleeds down. Head gaskets are likely culprits. Could
be a cracked head although this usually results in coolant getting into the
combustion chamber and not the oil. Lots of variables here. Was the engine hot
tanked when you worked on it in '92? If not, it could be sludge from the valley
and the heads finally gettin into the pan. This is really quite unlikely also. I'd
bet on a coolant leak. If it is a real slow one and maybe not even detectible, use
a good radiator stop leak such as Bars Leak and that will probably fix it. Worth
a try.
Gary
Michael J Skiles wrote:
> All,
>
> I have a problem with oil pressure and I would like some advice from anyone.
> My 55 Savoy (241) is showing "over the dot" high oil pressure when the car is
> cold. (Car runs terrible) After it warms up the pressure shows normal on the
> gauge. I checked the gauge and it is in working order. I dropped the pan and
> to my dismay I found about 2 inches worth of sludge in the bottom of the oil
> pan. The crank also has black, sludge residue on it. I inspected the oil
> pressure relief spring. It is fine and not sludged up.
>
> I have recently replaced the intake manifolds and fuel pump. (Pump failed) My
> question is where is the sludge coming from? When I rebuilt the engine in
> 1992, it was a lot cleaner. (It had no oil pressure, the crank was bad. It had
> been welded and put back in the car by previous owners) Any suggestions?
> Anything else to check? Thanks.
>
> Mike Skiles
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