Last year I put in a manual oil pressure gauge and replaced the oil pump, filter etc... Everything was working great.
Well for the last 8 months I was called away and my car just sat. Now that I am back when I started it, it shows 0 oil pressure, now the gauge is still connected. Recently we have had some pretty cold weather here though.


It's a 1986 Z28 with the 350 Small block.

I was needing some help maybe brainstorming what it could be. I would appreciate any help anyone could give me.

 

Clogged, blocked, bent oil line to the gauge?

I had a dry rotted line, but it was really old and I replaced the whole guage while I was at it.

 

like edog says and are the lifter clattering? i would hope its a bad gage. lol see any leaks?

 

No leaks, The gauge itself is less then a year old, same with the lines and everything. Basically I had most of the Engine rebuilt last year, that included the high flow Oil Pump and manual gauge.
I guess I'll replace the line.
No clattering, I just have already put so much time and money into the car and I was hoping when I got it back I could just enjoy some nice cruising, but something always comes up with her.

 

Are you using thick oil? Maybe that coupled with extreme cold temps is making it hard for the pressure to push through the tiny oil gauge line.
Btw, is your gauge hooked up with a plastic line, or copper? Copper is preferred for durability, and plastic can be problematic (kinking, melting, cracking, leaking, stranding you).

 

It's copper. It showed about 20 PSI when I started it today and then went down to 0 a minute later.
Do you think it's the oil line or the gauge line? I use 20 W 30

 

test the gage to make sure its working. what oil filter u using?

 

Did you cut the line when you installed the gauge, or use the full length? If you cut it, how did you do it, with a saw? If so, you could have gotten some shavings in the line which could stop up the gauge. Copper tubing/pipe cutter is the tool of choice. Otherwise i would say the gauge is bad. You could disconnect the line at the gauge, stick it in a clear container, like a narrow neck bottle. Then momentarily start the engine and see whether or not you have good oil pressure coming out. That'll also flush the line, and you could try flushing out the gauge while it's off too.

 

I didn't have to cut it.
Everything worked fine when I had a friend start it like 3 months ago.
I'm going to try to flush it out. I appreciate the advice. I'll let you know what happens..