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11-16-2009, 08:14 PM
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#1 |
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The oddest Todd around
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 1,418
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Oil Pressure
Ok... so maybe I'm just not used to how a motor is SUPPOSED to be... or maybe I just got used to my old motor that leaked a quart of 20W50 per week, but I'm just not too sure where my oil pressure should be.
At idle... (like 550-600rpm) I'm doing 3/4 of the guage, and at 2500rpm I'm halfway between 3/4 and... full / high / 4/4... Is that normal? The motor only has 549 miles on it so far...
__________________
"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY??? |
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11-16-2009, 08:17 PM
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#2 |
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69 K20
 Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Elizabethtown, KY
Posts: 426
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Re: Oil Pressure
Without numbers it's hard to tell what it really is. Lots of pressure = happy motor.
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11-16-2009, 08:30 PM
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#3 |
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AMERICAN IRON ADDICT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 299
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Re: Oil Pressure
If your using the factory guage, when the needle is all the way right it is roughly equal to 80psi. Slightly past the middle is roughly 60psi.
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11-16-2009, 09:03 PM
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#4 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Oil Pressure
stock 10 - 30 series trucks max out at 60 pounds, not 80.
So full up pegged is 60, mid way is 30.... the math on that is easy. Now this does assume it is acurate. They are never dead on, but safe to assume it is close. If your reported readings are on a fully warmed up engine, then you are fine. The 80 pound guages are on the 40 - 90 series trucks. |
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11-16-2009, 11:37 PM
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#5 |
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AMERICAN IRON ADDICT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 299
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Re: Oil Pressure
Both of my 67's have had 80psi guages. I also have a NOS guage marked 80psi. The readings I gave were from a Autometer procomp mechanical gauge also hooked up along with the factory so it makes it very easy to check the factory guage.
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11-17-2009, 02:39 AM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 505
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Re: Oil Pressure
So, should it be pegged at 60+ on a 10-30 series? Or is that ok? Mine is off the scale and I'm kinda worried about it.
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Curry in a Hurry: SB rebuild for my 71 C20 |
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11-17-2009, 06:46 AM
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#7 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Muskegon,MI,USA
Posts: 6,026
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Re: Oil Pressure
It might be worthwhile to check the actual oil pressure with a 100 psi gauge to know where you are. If the pressure is less then 80 psi then you can change out your 60 psi gauge for an 80 psi gauge.
Jim
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1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC |
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11-17-2009, 10:33 AM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Granbury, TEXAS
Posts: 250
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Re: Oil Pressure
A rule of thumb that I remember is that for every 1000 rpm you should have 10 psi oil pressure. This is a minimum on an engine at operating temperature. Is your oil pump a standard volume/pressure pump or a high volume/pressure pump? The rule of thumb applies for a standard oil pump with standard clearances.
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Mine is chopped, has a clutch, and a big block. |
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11-17-2009, 11:47 AM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 505
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Re: Oil Pressure
It's a standard pump, stock in dash gauge. This is (hopefully) the last bump in a rebuild from hell, where anything that could have gone wrong has. Could I just hook up a gauge under the hood to double check the existing gauge?
__________________
Curry in a Hurry: SB rebuild for my 71 C20 |
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11-18-2009, 11:49 AM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Granbury, TEXAS
Posts: 250
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Re: Oil Pressure
I would. Hook it up and start it up. Watch the gauge and listen to the engine for signs of inadequate oil pressure. Keep a close check on the dip stick level and use the gauge as just an indication (go/ no go) of pressure.
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Mine is chopped, has a clutch, and a big block. |
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11-18-2009, 06:20 PM
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#11 |
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The oddest Todd around
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 1,418
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Re: Oil Pressure
On one hand... this makes me feel better about how much pressure I have now...
On the other hand... holy hell my pressure was low on the motor before I rebuilt it. I remember there were times when it would RIDE at the 1/4 mark...
__________________
"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY??? |
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11-19-2009, 01:15 AM
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#12 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 505
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Re: Oil Pressure
Quote:
If I can pick up a gauge Sat morning I'll hook it up to get an another reading.
__________________
Curry in a Hurry: SB rebuild for my 71 C20 |
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11-19-2009, 01:29 AM
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#13 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: West Hills, California
Posts: 679
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Re: Oil Pressure
Oil warning lights on most GM cars were set up to come on around 4 psi. 10psi at idle is ok.
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