Something doesn't add up here, I tend to agree with "smoke", even if you had tight bearing clearances or the bearings are in wrong and blocking oil flow to the mains, the relief valve would blow off, protecting the pump and everything else downstream of the pump.

Sounds like a major blockage somewhere preventing the oil from getting to the relief valve, for the starter to produce that kinda pressure.

I would be interested to hear what you find as well.

I let my dad read your post and he just raised his eyebrows in intrigue, said that is one hell of a efficient pump to produce that pressure at cranking RPM.

Chucky MoMo <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />