78’ bus 2 liter, getting access to oil pressure switch

[Satsloader]

Hi all, newby here, I’ve got a low oil pressure light, Lee at Old Volks Home in Aptos did a “top end” on it for previous owner 400 miles ago. I bought the bus last Friday, drove home 32 miles just fine, had starting problems the next day, finally got it started yesterday, but after it idled for a minute a medium high pitch sound started, and I then noticed the oil light. I shut it off and called Lee. He said to start it and rev it to see if the light would turn off. I started it, gently rev’d it and the light just got brighter and steadier ( pulsing went away ). I shut her down, called Lee and arranged to have it towed to his shop in Aptos next Wednesday. I could hear the medium pitch ( steady ) sound but didn’t notice if it increased in pitch with engine speed as I was focussed on the light. I looked under the engine and saw Some fresh oil on the front drivers side ( front as in towards the front of the vehicle ) cylinder where the head meets the cylinder. It looks like it’s originating from the top as there’s oil covering the complete front of the cylinder fins. There is no oil on or under the valve covers. FYI, the oil level if 1/2 quart low, the leak is very small.
Now to my question; Lee thought it might be weeping from the pressure switch since it’s acting a bit funny.. it looks like a tin ( is that the “taco”? ) is covering the switch.. how do you get access to the switch?

Many thanx,

Bill 831-383-4319

[Wildthings]

The switch sits on top of the engine just in front of the distributor. You can access it fairly well though it is hard to see what you are doing. You will find a wire going down through an old hardened rubber boot. Remove the wire and then pry the boot out. You will now be able to see the oil pressure switch. You can use a deep socket to remove it. Be very carefully than nothing falls down into the hole in the block once the switch is removed as this location is passed the oil filter and anything that goes down into the hole is destined to go through your bearings. The correct switch has a tapered pipe tread and doesn't use a gasket to seal. You can use a tiny amount of teflon pipe dope on the threads when reinstalling.

If the lid popped off the top of the switch if will cause a fair oil leak though the light may well not come on.

Be sure to buy a new boot.

Are you sure it isn't the alternator light that came on and the alternator that is whining?

[cmonSTART]

Did it blow a gallery plug in the clutch housing are? That would push oil up and out the drivers front where that inspection hole is, then all over the ground.
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'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[Randy in Maine]

[alman72]

you don't have to start a new post for every problem with Kramer. you can rename the thread "problem with Kramer" or something, and keep it in there. A new problems that you think are unrelated may not be, and we can see the whole story