anybody know what the oil pressure is suppose to be at when car is up to normal temp? i have my 68 camaro with a 327 and probrably tired motor, but still runs strong and sounds healthy, but noticed that when cold, the oil pressure will be at 30-40psi, but when hot or at normal temp (180), the oil pressure drops to about 5psi if that.....dont know if thats normal.

 

That's not normal, it's low. I would put 20 psi at idle as more in the normal range.
Is this with an electric or mechanical gauge? Electrics can sometimes be inaccurate. If a mechanical gauge, you have worn bearings, or an off chance that the gauge is out of whack, but don't bank on it.

 

damn....thanks, that wasnt what i wanted to hear, but yeah, i'll start saving up for a motor now....lol

btw, it is a mechanical gauge....

 

Double check with another gauge for your own peace of mind, or insanity depending on the results.

 

yeah, it wont be anytime soon when i buy a new motor...im thinking about just building one......i'll probrably blow up mine before its done....if done before, i'll definately blow it up....lol...thanks for inputs

 

Good luck blowing it up! When they are that loose, they tend to hold together pretty well lol!

But hey, sounds like a good excuse to build a new engine!

 

lol......i'll find a way....nos!....hahha...anyways, i'm actually looking at a sbc 400 to stroke....i like the power of a big block, but dont want to change a bunch of stuff make it fit, so small block 400 should make up for it......any suggestions on what internals i should go with?

 

If I was you, I'd build the 327.

That was a good and trusty motor. I had one in my 68, it was a 331, double humped heads, Erson cam, Holley Strip Dominator intake with a 650 double pump. Ran it with a T-400, Holeshot converter and 4:11 posi rear.

Would run strong all day and night.

Think about before you set your mind on the 400......

 

ive only dealt with one 400 and it was a great torque motor but the machine shp did some shotty work on it so it didnt last long. its sitting on the floor needing either sleeves put in or bored again. I agree with bruce id go 327. they are such a perfect running motor. thats what is in my 68 and its a stock speced L79 327. it pulls pretty good and will just scream unlike the 400.

 

If I remember correctly, the cam that was in my 327 or 331 after it was bored .030", it was a Erson brand and it was .480"/ 292/ 230@ .050 and like Camaroboy said, it screamed and would hold it owns to several 400 small blocks that were running around my town.

I would love to have known what that motor would be like today with a good set of heads on it?

I was a simple engine and I used it for an everyday driver. It only had around 10:1 compression and ran good on pump gas.

I gotta say, I currently have a big block and yes they are fun, but there is nothing like the sound of a high reving small block.

Good luck.