I'm in the same boat same year and same problem. I removed the oil pressure sending unit and the thing it threads into and sprayed a entire can of brake cleaner through the orifice and my pressure came up a little

 

check pressure with a mechanical guage at motor. unscrew the factory sending unit and install guage and check. remember, 10psi for ever 1k rpm. can probably get on loaner from advanced.

before you do all that work. go to advance and buy an new AC DELCO oil filter for it. im in the automotive bussiness and a lot of filters are using universal coverage now and some do and do not have the internal check valves. ac delco filter number pf13 i think.

 

Definitely use the mechanical gauge as step 1. I got one on loaner from the local autoparts store.

After all was said and done I've ordered a new short block from S and J motors to pair up with my new head and oil pump. New motor....better have some fricken oil pressure when I'm done!!!

 

00exjay, I've done every possible trouble shooting option for this low pressure issue. If you have any questions PM me and I'll walk you through the steps.

 

mains worn and slap a oil pump in im guessing

 

Already did all that. In the midst of putting a new motor in this week. The torx bolts on top of the bell housing are the only thing I've got left and can't seem to get to them. Everyone says they're tight or tough but I can't even get close to reaching those suckers. Pulled the manifolds and header and still can't get a wrench on there.

 

To get to those torx bolts.

1.Drop Crossmember(have a jack supporting the transmission)
2.Slowly lower transmission until bolts are visible
3.Get a few extensions to equal out to about 2'-2.5'
4.Remove bolts
5.Pull transmission
6.Done!