Thanks for that suggestion, Lou. This is a fairly fresh rebuild and the engine was apart recently. I did not observe any cracks in the pickup tube on reassembly.

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1961, 1962, 1963 and 1965 Valiant 200. The `65 is a `vert.

in the meantime while looking for a standpipe for your oil pump:

Here is a list of filters with a standpipe that the fella explored to solve a similar problem on a land cruiser.. They have an inverted oil filter as well.

Nothing wrong with a fleet guard filter, but this will give you some other options available locally.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threa ... tc.135269/

Thanks for that resource, Jase. I have two new Fleet Guard LF701's in a box right here and hopefully that will tide me over until I find a standpipe somewhere.., or figure out how to make one. I have some old oil pumps to play with as I try to work this out.

But it would be so much easier if I could just find one ready-made. So how about it everyone? Anybody got a standpipe oil pump in a junk box under a bench somewhere? I believe the part I need is the hex fitting with the very coarse thread that screws into the oil pump, with a pipe pressed into the filter end.

Honestly, with as many Valiants as I have owned, I am shocked that I don't have one somewhere. I remember them stock but, for whatever reason, somebody thought it was a good idea to eliminate them? When I changed the oil, the filter was empty. There was no oil in the filter. I clearly remember making a hella mess dumping oil all over my K frame in the past, so I know there should be some oil in the canister at all times.

So my theory must be correct. The pump must have been losing prime and had to draw oil *all the way up* from the depths of the oil pan, then fill the filter before there was any hope of seeing pressure. Yikes. My poor motor.

The other thought I have about all of this is, why the Vert? What is so different about that engine that causes it to *need* a standpipe equipped oil pump? Why is it that my four other slants do not exhibit this need? I can't imagine the MoPar engineers insisting on standpipes as original equipment if they weren't absolutely needed.

I guess they got eliminated on aftermarket pumps when they went to the smaller filter in the mid 70's?

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1961, 1962, 1963 and 1965 Valiant 200. The `65 is a `vert.

I want to follow up on the sugestion of cleaning the oil pressure valve. I think that is a good idea. Unfortunately, it will require lifting the engine and unbolting the motor mount. That means it will be a while.

in any case, the pump is fresh. I took it out of plastic wrap just a few thousand miles ago.

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1961, 1962, 1963 and 1965 Valiant 200. The `65 is a `vert.

Definitely check the oil pressure valve. A fresh pump (or any part) doesn't mean it works right!

Lou

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