Totally my fault I just realized what I did I meant in the morning when I first start it the car is up around 60 psi. I am so sorry I mistyped. When I am driving the car usually hangs out around 40 PSI. When the car is warm and I am sitting such as in a drive thru it will drop clear down to 20 and under.

I hope that clears it up I am sorry for the confusion. I have an autometer oil pressure gauge on it now.

 

Ok, that's different! Your cold psi is fine, but dropping as low as it does (close to 0?) when it's hot is an indication of worn rod and/or main bearings. Using a thicker oil will help to boost oil pressure, just be aware of the condition of the engine as it is. Autometer gauges are fine, so based on your statement above, I highly doubt it's a faulty gauge reading.

 

Thanks so much Camaro 69
I was planning on using the Rotell 15w40 with a wix oil filter to see if that would help at all. Is this a good idea or should I go with a 20w50?

 

Do you live in a cold winter climate? With 20w50, you'll have a hell of a time cranking the engine over easily in sub-freezing temps.

 

Yeah I am in Northern Missouri and it does get cold in winter

 

Yeah, then just try the 15w40. The "15" could even be marginal if we get some severe cold (below 0), but winters of late haven't been that bad, and I'm a bit north of you. Gee, I sure miss the times when we used to have 20-30 below zero temps, with 60 below wind chills....not!

 

Sounds good I will give it a whirl

 

20 to 30 below, what's that?

That's why I moved from New England to sunny Florida.

If you guys see 20 degree or less temps I wouldn't suggest 20w anything. 10w-xx is where you need to be

And to the OP, how far below 20 psi does it drop?

 

those pressures sound good. my engine will run 80 psi when cold, 60 when hot, and drops to about 25psi when idling around 700 rpm. it is a brand new engine though, so with your reading being close, id say youre fine

 

^ But...earlier he said it drops to near zero at idle while in gear.