The way I see it, without that pickup added, the effective oil level is 1 1/2" higher, and the pump could easily cavitate through not having the pickup low enough in the pan. I think that is your problem Rudolph.
The original oiling system has a .060 " restricter in it and 1/4 " lines. I use a restricter at the gauges also. Those lines look humongus JMO
I'd say just fit that pickup part and see what happens. There should be gaskets between the pickup tube and the can and the can and the pump adaptor. (I think).
I have had some success fitting O rings at the base of the pump. The French pump uses an O ring here. I use 3 smaller O rings and make sure the pump fits flush.
Mart.
One thing I wonder is we made the fittings and line from the block bigger, i am running the early long body pump, I am using a Windsor spin on oil filter, it had 30 psi at idol and 40 when driving. Wondering if i should bypass the oil filter for a bit and see if that helps
You don't need to isolate your oil filter, and the diameter of the fittings won't effect the pressure.
it didn't go over 40 lbs before did it? Hopefully you've sorted it once and for all.
Have the baffles in the oil pan been removed? If so oil may be moving away from the oil pump pick up. There should be a gasket between the round metal cup and the oil pump body
I took the releaf valve out just to be on the safe side and found compared to another spring and plunger it was a bit different in every dimension, I had a brand new springs the correct length and a plunger out of another motor, installed it and oil pressure behavior is dramatically different, it seems to stay at 30 psi at 1000 rpm instead of 45 psi.