Oil pressure plateaus at 40 PSI

So, GRMBL, there is a possibility that this could be the oil pressure gauge. It is a cheapo Summit Racing one that is 8 years old. If I pinch it, the needle goes up and down by +/-30 PSI.

I found an oil filter and will put that in on Tuesday. Also have a buddy of mine that has a mechanical oil pressure gauge. Will slap that on there tomorrow as well.

Stay tuned,

D.
 
Isnt 15 psi a little low on idle for a newly build engine?(i know its still in the range,, but i get crazy if mine go below 25)

If i where you, id get a new mechanical oil pressure gauge, fresh "wix" oil filter or equivalent, simple things first.
With my 383, on initial cam break in, it would never go below 65 psi. hot or cold...

After the initial cam break-in i had a pressure about 45 psi, never below... A few miles later pressure got down to about 20-25 psi... :/(i know its still in the range)
I changed the carquest oil filter for a WIX(or equivalent) brand oil filter.. i also changed from 10w30 to 15w40.
Oil pressure was still a little low(in the 25-30psi range at idle), after a few miles(engine now has 84,5 miles) my pressure is stable at about 35 psi on a hot idle day and on cold start its always over 60(going about 80psi as rpm raise).

Maby those bearing just need some more break-in?, its strange the pressure lower as the rpm go over 4k.. That usually is a incorrect oil pick-up for the oil pan(pick-up too close/too far to bottom of pan). But you already taken care of tyhe pump/pickup so.

If you have the engine out.. id check the whole oiling system(oil gallery plug, pump shaft, oil filter adapter...etc). And am curious about the lifter/bore we all talk about the rotation asembly and bearings but not the upper part of the oiling system.. i know its non-sense, but i like to overdo things... :/ thats just me. Am posting so you can have a oil pressure comparison with another fresh 383 sbc.
 
I don't like 15 PSI at idle one bit. Honestly, I am beginning to lean toward that oil filter - I am quite sure that a couple of weeks ago my pressure was higher - 40 psi at 2000 rpm.

I'll have a known accurate oil pressure gauge on there tomorrow. Will also swap oil filter.
 
Hey, i dont know. I have never used a summit brand gauge, i usually think thats summit stuff is good enough BUT since its old its great to have a second unit to make sure its not the gauge accuracy or inaccuracy.

Filter can help get a few more psi at idle(who know about higher rpm, if its restrictive it might not help with the pump pushing more), theres lots of crap on the market in the oil filter area, its hard to get a good oil filter for our application. have to order almost everything from the usa :/.

Some people really like the "fram" oil filter, but for some reason i avoid them at all cost.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top