Well I finally got this engine mounted on the stand to run it. When it first fired the oil pressure went to 60 psi. then after about 4 or 5 seconds down to 10 psi. and fluctuated. Went strait to oil pick up tube nut on pump as Ted suggested and wow it was only finger tight. Gave it a few turns and wala. Engine has a great sound, can't wait to finnish car body work and mount in and go

woops just noticed missprint in description the block is an ecz not x. 

http://youtu.be/yHHjfBLxf0g

Congrats. I had a feeling it was nothing serious. You think the guy would have noticed the crankcase was empty and there was a mess under the car.

Awesome, glad it was nothing major. Seems strange that the guy didn't even notice any dripage when he parked it...

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Well the verdict is in. Turns out it was nothing serious. When I got it home I pulled valve cover then disty. I put my dummy disty shaft in and turned it with my drill. Could tell pump was ok and heard gurgle at rocker arm bleed tubes. Then all of a sudden oil running out from oil filter adapter. That's all it was, bad rubber gasket. Took it apart, cleaned and dried it good and put new rubber ring in DRY and good to go.

I assume it failed in the two mile test drive he made. Probably ran short on oil about that time and out of frustration dicided to move on with the 302 crate motor.

This was a lucky break for me. I had been collecting stuff to do a motor for a 54 crestline two door i'm working on. Now I've got the motor and can concentrate on the body. Had open heart surgury last Sept. and just now getting back in the grove. Getting this engine puts me back on schedule. I am going to finnish my test stand now and run it before putting in car, can't wait !!

Congratulations on your acquisition.  The rubber O-ring behind the flange nut at the oil pump is always a good place to start looking when the oil pressure unexpectantly drops off on the Y engines.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I think you got a good deal no matter what, and possibly a great deal. I am thinking the simple thing is to pull the distributor and see if the shaft is there and in one piece. If it is there I use a junk old distributor with the distributor gear removed and a nut welded to the top of the shaft to turn it for priming a new engin. Will also work to see if oil pump is working.

54y I'd be very interested in where the headers came from, or who made them, got any info?

Ted, Redding, CA

Told me he had 80 psi. oil pres. when he first started it. This seems high to me. That's why I suspect oil pump drive twisted then sheared. I'v seen this before. The engine was bluprinted so there is no give anywhere and oil as we all know does'nt compress. Something has to give, thus the week link, pump drive. He told me that he was frustrated after all that time and money and just wanted to move on. Even if I have to go completely through it I believe I got a good deal on it. All the machine work was done right as best I can tell. Things like leaving the oil slinger on the crank when it was machined for the 292 block. Also had oil groves done to lifter valley. Water passages drilled between center cyls. to match heads. I will check it with direct reading gauge when I get home.

Did he have an electric or mechanical pressure gauge on it? If not I think I'd try a pressure reading from the port on the block directly. He never mentioned if he was getting any oil to the upper end. With only 2 miles you may have bought a real score. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I scored on this one as it was in my home town. Hopfully it won't be anything serious. I'm thinking pump drive also, weak point on y block.  Was told it only ran 2 miles down the road, and as he turned back in to his place lost pressure. He had a lot of machine work and expensive parts, probe forged pistons, probe rods, clay smith cam and matching lifters, 312 crank in 292 block, whole rotating assy. blanenced, dove roller rockers, custom stainless headers 2 into one, nice quality work. Not to mention all the head work on the 113 heads. And to top it all off a blue thunder intake. I can't wait to get it home and go through it. It's still in his 56 victoria, and he has to pull it.

As mentioned in earlier post if nothig else it was worth the parts.