sludge in the pan.
 

What causes the sludge build up in the oil pan in a motor with only 50 1/8 mile passes and the oil has been changed after every 10 passes. using valvaline 20w50 racing oil and wix racing filters, Dart little m SBC 434 - 665 HP,
Thanks Andy

It could be what ever lubricant, moly,grease... was used when the engine was assembled that did not mix with the oil?

x2

would it be smart to pull the pan and clean it out. I've been seeing it on my drain screw.
Andy

It couldn't hurt. You can look things over and hopfully sleep better afterwards.

Sludge usually indicates, ring blow by, you might want to do a leak down on the cylinders just in case you have a broken ring.

JMO

Zip.

Assembly lube X3

I'm with Zip on this one.

Any break-in lube should of disolved and been long gone by now, however contaminates such as water and unburned fuels from poor ring seal will build up on the bottom pan and can eventually clog up your oil pump pick-up, you need to pull the pan and clean that gunk out - address the real problem.

Years ago people who added that STP garbage every oil change would have similar problems, seen that stuff 3 inches deep in a pan before.

Cp

have seen large amount of sludge on engine with a coolant leaking from intake manifold . sludge pluged up filter, pickup, almost took out the engine.

Thanks guys, I'm pulling the pan today and cleaning everything out. Can't take the chance, I was just wandering what causes this to happen. I'll also do the leak down test.
Thanks For the Info, Andy Byrd