Jake

the first thing you need to do is verify if what the gauge displays is accurate

you need to use a manual gauge. Others are tossing out ideas which is all well and good but it's all getting ahead of what your absolute next step MUST be.

 

Maybe connect a scanner to see what it reads the pressure as? If the sending unit is the problem then that won't help.

 

how many miles are on the engine? also, im pretty sure the 5w30 and 10w30 are the same weight at full temperature. My LS1 tech book says that minimum operating oil pressure at 2,000 rpm is i think 15psi.

 

we old timers could get into long discussions about this. There are many incorrect uses of terms when discussing lubricants

Basically, you are correct that a 10w30, 5w30 and even straight 30w are "similar" when at operating temperature.

 

As I and others have suggested, it's best to get a baseline on your oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. Just be prepared for the worse though, since a bad gauge or pressure switch isn't the cause of your valve train clatter showing up once the engine warms up. If you still get the same low reading, drain your oil and put in some 20w50, then see what happens. I don't know where you're located, but cold weather starts with that oil will be hard on the engine.

 

but if he has low oil pressure and has heard noise, the cold weather starts are a moot point anyway. That baby is getting torn down.

 

Right, if he lives in a cold winter climate, like what I get "up here".
Now if he lives down yonder and has winters like ya'll have, he can do that.

 

yup.

my kids had to put the heat on in our Orlando home because it went down to 50 degrees outside. I'm more to the south of there because i can't stand those cold 50 degree nights!!!!

Those fools in the panhandle actually see freezing weather and sometimes a dusting of snow.

 

lol....50 degrees is short sleeve weather here.

 

1) You mentioned that your gas and temp gauges are hardly working as well. Have you checked the electrical?
2) If you are sure its an oil pressure issue and not gauge functionality, install a can of motor flush to the oil, let it run as directed, and change your oil with a higher weight oil. This will flush out most junk in the engine.
3) If that does not resolve your problem, one thought comes to mind is that you may have larger internal clearances (bearing clearances) or i.e plain old engine wear. You didn't state the millage. You can replace your oil pump with a high pressure (not high volume) and that would bring up the oil pressure.