Q. re oil pressure

richard waters

New member
Feb 8, 1999
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I've been wondering the same thing about my readings.. After I installed my Custom
Instrument Panel I notice at idle I'm around 10-15 lbs, during cruise it is usually 40 lbs
but will sometimes drop to 35 lbs. I don't have any idea if my readings are normal.

Richard Waters, (76 PB which is home at last!), Troy, MI
- -----------------------

> I've been wondering re normal oil pressure that's being experienced.
>
> I have 7-9 lbs at idle, which is as the mtce manual states, but at cruise rpm I'm only at 23-25 lbs.
>
> I don't know whether the cause is partially my oil tree or if it's for real and if it's something else to start worrying about.
>
> My oil tree feeds sensors for dash and engine monitor as well as feeding a mechanical gauge.
>
> Running Castrol 5-50 Synthetic. Consumption has gone down since finding/fixing leaks and maintaining the level just above add (I add more often, 1/2 qt/liter at a time).
>
> Pressure hasn't just dropped, it's just something I've been wondering about.
>
> TIA - Heinz
> Tucked in next to the Stockton deep water channel.
 
The problem could be the 5-50 synthetic oil. I know the manual says that
7PSI is minimum but I think that is to low. In my opinion you need 20-25#
at idle and at minimum 40-45# @ cruising. I would switch to 20W-50 synthetic
and see if the pressure comes up..

One other possibility Heinz. If your pressure has been low since having the
engine rebuilt. It is possible that the person that did it was used to
rebuilding Chevy blocks and left out the rear oil gally plug. It is a
special plug for the olds, is located in the rear of the block, on the left
oil gally inside the block, 3/8" pipe plug with a .040" hole in it. If it is
missing you will also have timing problems and it will wear out your cam and
distributer gears.

Hope it is the oil.

>I've been wondering re normal oil pressure that's being experienced.
>
>I have 7-9 lbs at idle, which is as the mtce manual states, but at cruise
rpm I'm only at 23-25 lbs.
>
>I don't know whether the cause is partially my oil tree or if it's for real
and if it's something else to start worrying about.
>
>My oil tree feeds sensors for dash and engine monitor as well as feeding a
mechanical gauge.
>
>Running Castrol 5-50 Synthetic. Consumption has gone down since
finding/fixing leaks and maintaining the level just above add (I add more
often, 1/2 qt/liter at a time).
>
>Pressure hasn't just dropped, it's just something I've been wondering about.
>
>TIA - Heinz
>Tucked in next to the Stockton deep water channel.
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
To Whom It May Concern

Oil pressure readings with electric systems will vary with voltage. Low
voltage, low read readings. High voltage, higher readings.
First install a direct pressure reading instrument (make sure it is
calibrated or accurate) and then operate the engine. Compare these
readings with the electric and it will determine if your electric system
readings are accurate.

Don't do anything until you can confirm that the readings are correct.

Bob
77PM
 
Heinz,

My oil pressure is as Emory stated 35 #s at 60 mph. At idle it drops
down about 10
3s. That is after the change to Mobil 1 which increased pressure about
10 to 15 #s. My biggest news after swithcing to the synthetic is that
my 250 to 300 mile one quart leak has slowed to half a quart in 750
miles. This new behavior started on the return leg of a 2,000 mile trip
to California three weeks ago.

Emory and I are off to ABQ tomorrow to meet Al C. and see what we can
cook up for October.

Emory continues to be a font of knowledge. On Saturday we put a Caspro
Engine Knock Eliminator in my 78 Royale. Emory noticed that my vaccum
hoses were not correctly installled and we messed with that for a
while. Never could get the engine to knock.

Walter
 
Maybe the knock went away 'cause you're buying gas that's just too good!
In his MYR presentation, Dick Patterson Recommended 'the cheapest you can
get' when it comes to gasoline. I switched to the 87 octane on my '78 for
the trip home and started getting a knock. Previously, I was running the
89 octane and NEVER heard any. Soooooo, now what do I do??? Go cheap and
listen to the noise or spend the extra bucks for silence??

>Heinz,
>
>My oil pressure is as Emory stated 35 #s at 60 mph. At idle it drops
>down about 10
>3s. That is after the change to Mobil 1 which increased pressure about
>10 to 15 #s. My biggest news after swithcing to the synthetic is that
>my 250 to 300 mile one quart leak has slowed to half a quart in 750
>miles. This new behavior started on the return leg of a 2,000 mile trip
>to California three weeks ago.
>
>Emory and I are off to ABQ tomorrow to meet Al C. and see what we can
>cook up for October.
>
>Emory continues to be a font of knowledge. On Saturday we put a Caspro
>Engine Knock Eliminator in my 78 Royale. Emory noticed that my vaccum
>hoses were not correctly installled and we messed with that for a
>while. Never could get the engine to knock.
>
>Walter
>