VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 No oil pressure

I had an interesting problem on the recent VCCA Southern Fall Tour at Quartz Mountain, Oklahoma. Shortly after my '28 Coupe was first started the oil pressure guage indicated 10+ lbs pressure. It only held that for a short while and began to drop. But it dropped to zero! If shut off and restarted it would show 5+ lbs and then drop to zero. One day it did this about 5 times and then when started went to the 5 psig and held. Did the same all that day.

The next day the oil pressure would initially show pressure but drop to zero despite starting engine over 10 times. I figured that the oil pump was working but the "distributor valve" (regulator) was stuck or leaking or ??? So actually drove the car at low speed for a short distance to get it in the official tour photo and loaded back on the trailer.

When I got home I disconnected the oil line to the guage and squirted oil into the top of the fitting. It seemed to hold the oil level. Put the line back on and started the engine. The oil pressure guage went to 10 psig and then dropped back to 5+ which held until I got it backed back into the shop.

I sure don't want to remove the pan to take out and check the "distributor valve" if I don't have to. Is the "valve" likely my problem? Any comments from you experts? How about anyone else?

Hi Chip, I am no expert but had oil pressure on my 27 go to
10lbs when starting and then go to zero and stay until shut off
and started again.. Pulled pan and pump, it had a broken spring
in the pump. Pulled a spring out of a later model pump , not the
exact one but it worked and has worked for several years.

Roy,
Thanks for the reply. Guess I will need to remove the pan after all. Was afraid that was going to be necessary.