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  • Hemmings Muscle Machines

    ASK RAY

    Jul 27, 2022 6 minutes
    By Ray Bohacz

    TAP, TAP, TAP

    Q: I read your column all the time and learn a lot! My 1972 350 small-block Chevy does not have oil at the rockers. The cam was changed last year, and now the lifters are really loud. I cannot adjust them to be quiet. The camshaft is a hydraulic-lifter type.

    The car runs and the oil light goes out when the engine is started. The car has been driven about 200 miles as-is. Could the pressure just be too low? The car ran fine before the cam change. Any suggestions?

    Bob Holland
    Elgin, Illinois

    A: Okay, you need to think backwards and start by assigning a number to the oil pressure. To do this, temporarily install a mechanic’s oil pressure gauge and get a reading. The oil pressure light goes out at around 4 to 5 psi, which is not enough to keep the engine healthy. Get a pressure reading at

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