Motorcycle Repair: OIL PUMP GASKETS, castrol oil, oil holes

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I HAVE A 1972 SUPERGLIDE. THE MOTOR IS NOW ON A PANHEAD HARDTAIL FRAME. THE BOTTOM END HAS HAD 80" FLYWHEELS INSTALLED. IT NOW HAS 80" JUGS AND HEADS. MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE OIL PUMP COVER GASKET KEEPS BREAKING. I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE OIL LINES. CHECKED THE ROUTING OF THE LINES. I EVEN TRIED REMOVING THE OIL COOLER/FILTER COMBO FROM THE SYSTEM. I HAVE CLEANED THE CHECK BALL, RETURN PUMP SLIDE, AND THE SCREENS AND IT STILL BLOWS. I REPLACED THE RETURN PUMP SPRING ALSO. THE BIKE HAS ABOUT 1500 MILES SINCE THE REBUILD, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY STARTED IN THE LAST 400 MILES OR SO. WHEN I START THE BIKE THE OIL PRESSURE SHOOTS TO ABOUT 45 TO 50 POUNDS OF PRESSURE. IF THE GASKET DOES NOT BLOW AT THIS POINT, I HAVE TO BABY THE BIKE FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 10 MILES. EVEN IF THE BIKE IS WARMED UP THE PRESSURE STARTS OUT HIGH EACH TIME IT IS STARTED. I AM CURRENTLY RUNNING 20W 50 CASTROL OIL. BEFORE THIS PROBLEM I WAS RUNNING 70W OIL WITH NO PROBLEMS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP.  SLAB
Answer -
Does the slide in the oil pump move without any resistence Or does it seem like its sticking?
Mike
SLIDE MOVES EASILY.TODAY I TRIED MAKING MY OWN GASKET OUT OF THICKER MATERIAL. THE PRESSURE WENT DOWN TO "0". THE GASKET IS ABOUT 4 TIMES AS THICK AS THE ORIGIONAL. DID THIS CAUSE THE BIKE TO LOSE VACUM WITHIN THE PUMP?

Answer
It probably did. Only use the proper gasket. If you are still having a oil pressure problem then you have a restriction somewhere. That is causing your pressure to rise like it is. The pump is trying to compensate for the restriction. Remove th oil pump itself and check all the oil holes in it.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike