Here's the deal. A friend and member here has an 07 S281SC that just received a new engine. Block prepped by Blue Oval, Saleen 302 forged stroker kit, fox lake ported heads, Comp Cams, new timing gear, Ford Racing oil pump with billet gears, fuel upgrades, etc.

Here's the problem. Car starts fine with normal oil pressure but shortly loses pressure causing the timing chains to slap, cam gears to flop around, etc. Everything was assembled with correct tolerances including pickup in the pan. Spoken to sseveral Ford techs, Rob, searched the internet and everything that everyone says to check has been done to know avail.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Bad VCT solenoid?

Before the harder stuff, have you tried a new filter? We've had a few that have given us fits in the past.

VCT solenoids are brand new. I don't know if he tried the filter or not. It is running Royal Purple break in oil which is a little thicker but no one think that is an issue.

Originally Posted by Areteracing

Before the harder stuff, have you tried a new filter? We've had a few that have given us fits in the past.

+1

Also check things like oil cooler, any high pressure lines to the S/C, etc.

Just a thought, even though you've put in a new sensor, or solenoid, doesn't mean the new one couldn't be giving you problems too. Try to find a way to verify it's working right. (voltage checks, temperature readings, pressure gauges, etc...)
I've done this with starter solenoids and ignition switches in the past.

Best of luck to you.

Originally Posted by gargstang

It is running Royal Purple break in oil which is a little thicker but no one think that is an issue.

Bad filter/thick oil and stuck bypass = no oil pressure. Our engine builder always said just run some cheap oil for the first 10-20 minutes and then change it out for the good stuff.

Looks like he is going to take it to RWR to have Rob check it out. Thanks for the input guys.

I know he's taking it to Rob, but how thick is this break in oil? These things run 5w20, and they rely on oil to activate the cam phasers. The chain tensioners are also energized by oil pressure. The oil passages that feed the cam phasers are tiny. I don't know about the passages to the tensioners, but if the oil's too thick, I imagine your chains would get tons of slack in them.

It's a 10 weight of some sort. After talking to Rob some more we are going to pull the oil pump before taking the car anywhere. He still has the factory one so we'll give that a shot. If that doesn't work we may have to tear down the engine.

Oh and he did try a couple different oil filters to make sure that wasn't an issue.