Hey guys,

First things first, 72 240, on startup after sitting for a few hours I get this knocking sound for approximately 4 seconds. It sounds to me like the knock you get from the oil pump when you change the oil in a small block chevy as it fills the oil filter. I just bought the car and the PO changed the oil just before I got it, I don't know what weight he put back in it. It holds about 45-55psi going down the road and about 10psi after an extended idle (about 5-10 minutes). I am going to do an oil change again and maybe go with 15-50 or 10-30 and see if that helps. My question is do the oil pumps in these engines have a check valve to keep some oil at the pump? Also, is oil pump replacement difficult on these engines, looks like pull the distributer with everything at #1 TDC and pull the pump right?

Thanks in advance.

Justin

First I would replace the oil filter. The filter is supposed to have a check valve, but some of the filters on the market have been cheapened up to the point where the check valve does not work.

Stay away from Fram filters. They have acquired a proven reputation for failed check valves in recent years. Purolator, Wix, and the "Premium" brands like Mobil 1 and K&N appear to be a better choice.

If the problem persists with a good oil filter, then look into the pump.

Walter,

It does have a Fram on it currently, I have never been a fan of them. I will swap it out for something else and see how it goes.

Thanks

I've saw a couple of interesting decals on a car at a show this past weekend. One said "Friends don't let friends use Fram" and the other said "Friends don't let friends use Fel-Pro".