So.... oil pressure too low...
#1
08-20-2022, 08:29 PM
So.... oil pressure too low...
OK...
Just got my rig out of storage (6 years or so) its a 454 with a cam, dual carbs, solid lifters, etc.
Oil change showed that wet spray paint copper color thing. (cam bearings?) which might be behind this issue.
When I fire this up, I get around 60 PSI oil pressure, mechanical gauged. But, at idle, when it gets warm, we're looking at 5 or so at idle.
I've tried to research this issue and I've heard everything from OMG, DON'T run it! to don't sweat it.
When the car was parked, oil pressure was NOT a problem, but now, the idle pressure is low at temperature and only around 17 PSI or so at 60mph. I had frequently changed the oil and favored 20-50 synthetic.... every 2000 miles or so.... only put maybe 10,000 on it over the 16 years we've had it.
There are no out of place noises. Solid lifters, if that matters. Does not burn any oil, plugs don't foul. Runs a little rich but I'm working on that. Sounds fine. Idles fine. Runs fine. Now the only thing that's a problem is the oil pressure indicator (and I already replaced the gauge once.)
Any ideas? Would it sitting for an extended period have caused anything I overlooked?
Thanks!
Quick vid of the car:
Just got my rig out of storage (6 years or so) its a 454 with a cam, dual carbs, solid lifters, etc.
Oil change showed that wet spray paint copper color thing. (cam bearings?) which might be behind this issue.
When I fire this up, I get around 60 PSI oil pressure, mechanical gauged. But, at idle, when it gets warm, we're looking at 5 or so at idle.
I've tried to research this issue and I've heard everything from OMG, DON'T run it! to don't sweat it.
When the car was parked, oil pressure was NOT a problem, but now, the idle pressure is low at temperature and only around 17 PSI or so at 60mph. I had frequently changed the oil and favored 20-50 synthetic.... every 2000 miles or so.... only put maybe 10,000 on it over the 16 years we've had it.
There are no out of place noises. Solid lifters, if that matters. Does not burn any oil, plugs don't foul. Runs a little rich but I'm working on that. Sounds fine. Idles fine. Runs fine. Now the only thing that's a problem is the oil pressure indicator (and I already replaced the gauge once.)
Any ideas? Would it sitting for an extended period have caused anything I overlooked?
Thanks!
Quick vid of the car:
#3
08-20-2022, 09:22 PM
Just noticed you're in SW Washington,maybe stop by and see Tommy Wong to get his opinion.
Tom is really sharp and knows old school as well as the new stuff,he dyno tuned tuned my car and is well known around the Pac NW with customers coming from all over the region.
https://www.wongsperformance.com/
Tom is really sharp and knows old school as well as the new stuff,he dyno tuned tuned my car and is well known around the Pac NW with customers coming from all over the region.
https://www.wongsperformance.com/
#4
08-21-2022, 03:30 PM
assuming your OP gauge is right....If you saved a sample of the drained (after 6 years??) oil and sent it to Blackstone Labs they would report findings in it
Maybe rings are sticking...or you have a bearing problem.
"General" rule of thumb is 10 psi for every 1k rpm so 5 psi, if idle is around 700 rpm is not far off...although a healthy motor typically is about 25 psi engine hot at idle
oil weight is determined by bearing clearances, Fairly common for rebuilds to be set up with slightly loser clearances where 20-50 wt is used
Your choices are:
drive it with idle set higher
monitor oil for sparkles
or tear into the motor to see wtf is going on.
Cars sitting for 6 years rot
Maybe rings are sticking...or you have a bearing problem.
"General" rule of thumb is 10 psi for every 1k rpm so 5 psi, if idle is around 700 rpm is not far off...although a healthy motor typically is about 25 psi engine hot at idle
oil weight is determined by bearing clearances, Fairly common for rebuilds to be set up with slightly loser clearances where 20-50 wt is used
Your choices are:
drive it with idle set higher
monitor oil for sparkles
or tear into the motor to see wtf is going on.
Cars sitting for 6 years rot
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