Metallic oil in a 327 engine and running noises

Posted by Thunderbolt On 2014/10/11 20:46:25

When I changed the oil on the '52 300 a couple of months ago I had to clean a lot of graphite-like metallic cakes from the bottom of the oil filter tank. After a couple of hundred miles the oil is already dark and that grey metallic sludge seems to be coming back. My mechanic said a lot of the old engines do that.

The only other issue possibly related is the oil pressure light coming on when the oil is hot particularly off throttle. I know the engine was rebuilt but I'm not sure to what extent. It takes pump gas and has a healthy exhaust note.


I also noticed tappet clatter and recently there is a more clock-like whirling sound when the engine is running. I suspect something is wrong with it but my mechanic doesn't seem to know the Packards well. I'm new to this type of car and it doesn't have the history with it. Could the oil pump be coming apart?