Metal shavings in Oil!?!?

[88gtz]

This is in my 93 quad, just put a head on it and now this. Thoughts or suggestions? Oil pressure has me concerned, 60 psi cold, 40 psi warm going down the highway and 21 psi idle warm. Any help greatly appreciated

[Koots]

Oil pressure doesn't seem excessive to me, my LQ4 6.0L V8 in my truck runs 60-40psi and it's even worse on those -40 to -60* days.

Have you done anything else to the engine during this time? the metal shavings worry me, but they could have been hiding in the head too, so it might not be an indication of damage being done.

Was this just a simple head replacement? Did you replace any of the valvetrain at this time? Replace the oil pump?

Those shavings could be from new parts meshing together, it's not always a bad sign, but if this is an entirely new development on a reliable, old engine, then it's not a good sign at all.

I would pull the valve cover and check the new head for wear signs anyway, rule out whatever you can.

[88gtz]

It was just a head replacement, I was thinking the oil pressure is too low. my brother has a 90 2.3 and his is almost 80 psi cold 60 psi warm driving and 40 idle warm. I didn't replace anything other than the timing chain while I was in there, the head was super clean got it from a member here. I'm thinking about just pulling it and having my local machine shop rebuild, I don't want to throw a rod.

[3X00-Modified]

if you replaced the chain then you may be seeing metal from the chain breaking in to the gears. that is a possibility.

[Koots]

if you replaced the chain then you may be seeing metal from the chain breaking in to the gears. that is a possibility.

I would look through all the possibilities before I would pull out the engine and spend a couple grand...unless you were planning on it anyway.

[88gtz]

I talked to the local machine shop, he wants 2500.00 to rebuild it. Way too much, he said maybe the cam towers got warped with the old bad head. Mybe I can find some good used cams and towers, idk what to do I definitely don't want to junk the car.

[3X00-Modified]

Also if you put a head on it there could be some material from the valves coming off by seating...

Honestly I think your jumping to conclusions since you just put a head and timing chain on.... both of which need to wear in a bit...

What would you do if you did a full rebuild and then saw metal flake in your next oil change?

[GTZryda]

I also just did a head gasket on my 90 GTZ. Head was good just need to be shaved. Before and after the rebuild my oil Pressure is the same as yours. My other 90 GTZ had a bad OPS and showed 80 psi cold. Shavings could be what 3X00 said with the chain. I reused mine so I don/t know for sure. just keep an I on the oil pressure, if it idles at 15psi or less when hot then you willproblely need bearings. 15psi is min oil pressure spec.

[88gtz]

Okay cool, there's no extra noise in the valve train. I hope you guys are right, thanks for all you're help.

[scd88ga]

I talked to the local machine shop, he wants 2500.00 to rebuild it. Way too much, he said maybe the cam towers got warped with the old bad head. Mybe I can find some good used cams and towers, idk what to do I definitely don't want to junk the car.

Warped cam towers? Ok, lol! If you decide you need cam towers for some reason, I have the complete towers with LO cams and lifters that came off that same car as your head. Your oil pressure sounds fine to me as of now. Are the metal shavings magnetic?

[88gtz]

I don't know if they are magnetic, but I can check though. So there's no way for the cam towers to warp? Thanks for all the replies, I feel more confident about the motor.