MG Car Repair: 1970 Mg B Oil Pressure, oil pressure gauge, check oil level

Question
My father and I are in the process of restoring a 1970 Mg model B. After carburetor work we started the engine, and the oil pressure climbed to about 35. Shortly after turn on the gauge dropped to zero. We ran the engine while listening for knocking, there was none. We have run the engine a few times since then, with the same results. The oil filter is new, as is the oil. Should i drop the oil pan and look at the pump, what is the best thing to do from here.

Answer
Hi Rob,
You must connect a known good oil pressure gauge to the block and test oil pressure right away because when an engine runs with no oil pressure it is only seconds when major damage it done to the bearings and crank etc.
I worked in MG dealerships for many years working on as many as 5 or 6 MGBs a day and I never seen an MGB have a failed oil pump. So that is the last thing to look at for no oil pressure. My sequence on "No oil pressure" was to first check oil level then the oil filter and then the pressure regulator valve in the block and then pull the engine and pan and examine the bearings and pick-up on the pump.
Howard