Talking about a VG30ET in '89 Max.

Have relatively recently re-installed my engine. During the time it was out, I installed a Perma Cool oil cooler. I probably went overboard but purchased the Perma cool 450 cooler kit, this thing is pretty big. I'm running Castrol Full Synthetic 10w-30. I've had great oil pressure, around 55-60lbs at start up and around 3k+ rpms. However, at idle it drops to around 25-30lbs when cold and about 10lbs when warm.

I've noticed that I'v picked up some, what appears to be, rocker or lifter noise on the right side head. This seems to be only after the car warms up and at any rpm= I can be in first after it warms up and the rocker/lifters are rattling all over the place. The noise seems to only happen after warmup.

This seemed to have started after I seemed to be about 3quarts low on oil. But, keep in mind that with this oil cooler I run about 7+ guarts of oil and my oil pressure never gave me any alarm. Therefore, by installing such a large cooler have I hampered the flow of oil into the heads? Have I maxed out the capacity of the VG oil pump to circulate all that oil adequetly? Any help, insight, and guidance is appreciated.

 

i kinda had the same problem i live in san diego cali, and am running 20-50w guys on the 300zx forum told me that it was a good choice but i see the same oil problems as you, as for overkill on the oil pump maybee if the cooler is bigger that the one made from nissan because 300zxt came with oil coolers, and their oil pumps were better (flows like 25 percent better than reg VG) i would think about changing oil because i changed mine and the valve noises went away

 

20w-50? I'll try it. I was just wondering if there was some inherent issue with flow to the right head or something contributing to my issue. Thanks!

One thing I did leave off, is that I have an oil thermostate that is 95% closed when cold and opens when oil is warmed up. That is another reason I thought perhaps flow was a problem. Again, noise happens when warmed up. I also understand that in some situations, the hydrolic lifters will make noise after warmup even on stock engines. In any case, I'll begin adding some 20w-50 if gets low and do a complete change soon.