The only thing I can add is check your rocker arm to valve cover clearance. That might be your little metal particle problem.
When we first built the engine, I thought the normal height ones would work. But when I bolted them on there was like 1 thousandth of interference. The engine would turn over and seem fine. But when we ran it on the dyno there was a tiny amount of clattering, and it turned out that our rocker arms were just barely tapping the valve covers. That sent small bits of metal into the pan but luckily the oil filter did its job, and the engine was fine after an oil change, fresh filter and taller valve covers. These are the taller version
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-440362 if you used roller rockers like I did. But if you used the stamped steel rockers you are totally fine with the stock height covers!
So, if you did use roller rockers and the stock height pan that would explain a bit of metal in the oil. You might not need to tear it all apart.
I updated the link in the description about a year ago, but I cannot change the part number in the video.
Thanks so much for watching and for using 2CarPros!
Best,
Ryan
Thursday, September 14th, 2023 AT 12:24 PM