Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

Got the 406 in my truck and it will scream, but oil pressure gauge registers around 5-10 pounds of pressure at idle. I used all good parts but am wondering if it could be the gauge. Got a white face sunpro gauge. When your cruising the pressure is up around 40-50. No engine noise but is it possible the new oil puimp could be bad? Or cheap oil pressure gauge?:chevy:

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

electric or mechanical?? if electric it could be bad battery,charging system or wire connections

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

Mechanical......

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

What is your idle set at? My 350 will push about 22-28 psi at idle, 50 psi at cruise and 60 at wot. If your idle is set really low it could be giving you your low numbers.

I have my idle set at about 850 rpm's in park and that puts me at about 650 rpm's in gear.

Unless you have a leak in your gauge line, these mechanical gauges are pretty close to right. Also, I have never been one of those guys that has been a big believer in synthetic oils except in my diesel trucks. But odd as it is I gained about 5-8 psi at idle when I switched to a good syn...who knows?

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

My oil pressure is way lower so i gotta do some diggin into it to find the problem.:chevy:

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS 10 LBS OF OIL PRESSURE FOR EVERY 1000 RPMS.(BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 5 & 10 lbs AT 1000 RPMS) I'VE HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM A TIME OR TWO. AFTER YOU RULE OUT THE GAUGE & PULL THE OIL PAN TO CHECK THE OIL PUMP,(A REAL PAIN.. BUT POSSIBLE) PULL A COUPLE OF MAIN CAPS & LOOK AT YOUR BEARINGS. IF THERES ANY COPPER SHOWING OR YOUR CRANK JOURNALS ARE GROOVED OR THE FINISH DOESN'T LOOK POLISHED, PULL IT IMMEDIATLY & FIX IT. IF YOU DO.. DON'T FORGET TO SWAB OUT & CLEAN THE OIL GALLYS OR YOU WILL BE DOING IT AGAIN IN ANOTHER 2000 MILES. DON'T ASK HOW I KNOW.:lol: LETS JUST SAY ALL THOSE LITTLE BEARING PARTICULS HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE. I LIKE TO USE A SHOTGUN OR RIFLE CLEANING ROD WITH A BRONZE BRUSH ON IT. I ALWAYS HOPE FOR THE BEST & EXPECT THE WORST.
GOOD LUCK WITH IT. JOHN

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

Thanks. I hope its just a bad gauge because everything is brand new. Anyone ever had a bad gauge even though it was new?:chevy:

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

yep. mine came from advance. sunpro i think. it was swapped for another set

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

i never have.. But i always check it first, & look for a kink in the line... But i've never been that lucky. (it only takes about 5 min.) i have a 454 crankshaft that i welded to a 8"rally & the other end to a 6" vice. It serves as a daily reminder not to trust anybodys word on motor work. High dollar vice stand that i've had for over 20 years. As you probably know.. The price of admission is very expensive to this hot rod hobby. Good luck bud. Hope its something small & cheap. John

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

My 383 in my nova has always run oil pressure about the same numbers as you are running since it was built (me and dad built it) dad said that a sbc motor does fine at 5lb pressure idle and 30lb pressure going down the road thats fine (he was a mechanic for 30+ years and dirt track raced for years) so i trust his judgement, not saying your 406 is the same but just saying so maybe to sure your mind alittle;)

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

Was it the oil gauge? What did it do?

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

copper line...no kinks...

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

what oil filter do you have

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

What weight oil are you running? If you are running light oil the pressure will be lower. You lose a little power (less than 1%, so not much) running heavier but you will have more pressure. Of course this doesn't mean that you want to run the heaviest oil you can get, but I'd ask an engine builder that you trust what they recommend for your build. My engine builder recommended that I run 20-50 because of the summer heat we get (110+).

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

nothing. hooked up and nothing. i dont what was wrong with but the next was fine.

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

Thought of that. running wix oil filter. Engine builder recommended 15/40 rotella. My brother runs 15/40 in a 700 h.p. dragcar with no problems. Might change the oil filter even though its new.

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

wix is a good filter dont think your problem is there your pressures sound normal to me 10 psui at idle and it should increase about 10 psi for every 1000 rpms

Re: Gauge problem? Bad oil pump? ???????
 

Sounds Ok for me too, I have run motors with that oil pressure for a long time. AS long as the pressure goes up when you hit the throttle you should be fine. If the top end of your motor is not getting enough oil it will let you know when the rockers start to make noise.