Oil Pressure ?

When I crank up my 30 , I have around 20 PSI or more of oil pressure . She will run like that for anywhere from 5 to 20 min. then she drops to zero . Here is the wierd part , sometimes the pressure will run zero for a few minutes and then up to twenty and back down again !

I have a new oil gage and am running fresh 40 weight oil and a new filter . She smokes a bit every now and then but has plenty of power . I have only had this tractor for about 6 months and I have to think that it ran like this for a long time .

Where do I start ? I did not replace the oil lines and they are a bit suspect . But what next ? Could it be as simple as the relief valve ?

Please help ! I love my baby but a rebuild is not in the cards for a while .

Thanks!
Ford Man

I hammered the oil pickup back like it should be and hooked up the screen .

Filled her back up with oil .

I now have about 18 lbs at low idle and 22-25 lbs or more at speed .

Best thing is that it didn't cost a dime and was a blast ! My 5 year old son helped me by handing me wrenches and paper towels .

Next , the brakes and front end .....

Thanks again !

Ford Man

I made a new oil line . No effect .It was pumping some oil but not enough to register on the gage .

Dropped the oil pan and found an interesting surprise ! Apparently , someone had run over something at one time or another and bashed the oil pan . The inside had hammer marks . Well the pickup screen wash bashed up and just laying loose in the pan . The bracket was not bolted on and there was a piece of felt ? in the end of the pickup tube . I also found the bracket bolt and part of a cotter pin in the pan .

I will look closer in the morning and make a decision on what to try next .

Wil let you guys know what I find .

Old iron is great ! I have not taken an oil pan off of anything since I was about 12 . This is so cool !

Ford Man