[dtw]

So this is frustrating. I finally got my 2.7 together and installed. Fired right up! That was the good news. When I spun the motor to build oil pressure before firing, the oil pressure light went out. The light stayed out when the engine started. At idle to 2k, the gauge just flutters around between zero and 20 psi. Beyond 2k, it goes to maybe 25 or 30 psi, no matter how high the revs. Tonight I put a mechanical gauge on it, similar results but not as much 'fluttering' on the needle and it got to 30 psi no problem, but that was it. With the mechanical gauge on, which had a fitting that didn't fit very well, oil was pouring out of the fitting pretty strong.

Other details:
-I am running Brad Penn 30wt break-in oil
-I did an initial fill of 7 qts.
-There is a remote cooler, installed new & bone dry
-Oil bypass pistons are brand new (could they be stuck open??)
-I checked oil pump seals just before closing case, they seemed fine
-The engine is otherwise making strong, healthy sounds

Any thoughts? If I have to tear this thing down again I'm gonna lose it...