What are some healthy oil PSI readings? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 06-26-2010, 04:32 PM

I have been keeping an eye on my pressure gauge lately and I notice that when im on the highway, im reading about 40-45 psi. When I come to a stop (feeder road) my psi drops below 10 and this is after a 30 min highway drive an 200 degree engine temp. The engine doesnt smoke or burn oil and runs like a top. What do you think?

cdowns · 06-26-2010, 04:48 PM

nothing to b alarmed at thats pretty normal for an old chevy

junkyardjohn · 06-26-2010, 04:58 PM

10 PSI FOR EVERY 1000 RPMs WHEN WARM IS O-K. JOHN

**slomotion** · 06-26-2010, 05:44 PM

It's not broken....don't fix it.

QKENUF4U · 06-26-2010, 05:52 PM

ya ill live by the 10psi per 1000rpm but ive NEVER had one drop to 10psi or less at idle.... maybe step up to a 20w50 weight oil and hope for the best.. it may run that way for 1 million miles or it may run that way for another 10miles... i personally wouldnt like it being that low.....
also whys your truck running at 200* ?

Shyguy · 06-26-2010, 06:05 PM

Heck the gages in thes old trucks are not that accurate, even the cheap after market ones.

Some of the newer stuff is designed to run hotter than 200 degrees to meet smog requirements.

All my engines seem to be happy running in the 180-200 degree range.

As stated above 10 pounds for every 1000 rpms sounds about right. 10 pounds at idle would make me a little uncomfortable in an old engine, but not much.

You could run 15-40 in the summer and something more like 10-30 in the winter.

IMHO

Kurt L · 06-26-2010, 06:39 PM

try a quart of lucas in your engine,i run a quart of lucas to 4 quarts of 20w50 get 30 pds at idle.45 to 50 pds at bout 60,65.but i have a 4.3 in my 91.

**El Jay** · 06-26-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slomotion

It's not broken....don't fix it.

Yep.

If it were mine I wouldn't even worry about it. You have oil pressure at idle, so things are getting lubricated.
I don't know, but I've been told that some newer cars carry very little oil pressure at idle.

toms84ss · 06-26-2010, 06:56 PM

If it's not making noise it's getting oil pressure. Run it.

crm318 · 06-26-2010, 07:48 PM

The motor is about 6 years old. It runs great and has no engine noise. The plugs are also white.

QKENUF4U · 06-26-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crm318

The motor is about 6 years old. It runs great and has no engine noise. The plugs are also white.

still white after how many miles ? white is a indication of LEAN... which will cause running temps to go UP (ie 200* on highway)

as for new cars running 200* thats apples to oranges comparing old to new.... only time ive ever had a car/truck run at 200 is when it was overheating (68 camaro-built 327, blazers- built 350's, 71 c10 - bb 402 in avatar living in phoenix, never seen 200* ever)
i do agree that using the old guage really isnt gonna give ya a good indication of pressure....
personally i would up the oil to 20w50 (summer) and let it live its life happy and oiled...

67ChevyRedneck · 06-27-2010, 01:34 AM

Mine isn't much better, mine's about 15psi at idle in gear (about 800 RPM's). Down the highway mine's about 40PSI as well.

With the A/C on high, sitting in traffic, in 100 degree temps, my truck stays around 190*. I think 200 is high for an old chevy. I had temp problems when I first installed my A/C (radiator was too small) and my truck ran like crap when it would spike to 200-205 degrees. New 4 core radiator and 190* T-stat and all is well

So.Cal.Super · 06-27-2010, 04:25 AM

What Brand of Oil Filter are you running?

crm318 · 06-27-2010, 06:43 AM

I am running a microgaurd filter. My thermostat is 195 degree.

Shyguy · 06-27-2010, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crm318

I am running a microgaurd filter. My thermostat is 195 degree.

I like to run a 180 degree thermostat in all of my GM trucks.

QKENUF4U · 06-27-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyguy

I like to run a 180 degree thermostat in all of my GM trucks.

my thoughts exactly.... 180 thermotsat, 3-4 core rad, 20w50 oil , and a mechanical guage....

So.Cal.Super · 06-27-2010, 01:57 PM

I run a 160 myself with a high flow water pump. 180 would be as high as I would go, and personally I like Robert Shaw thermostats. They flow better then stock. you can see the difference in flow restriction in the store.

Next Oil Change I would suggest Changing to a Napa Gold filter. I was a skeptic a few years ago but when I changed from Fram to NG I saw a major oil pressure difference. you can search the forum for Fram vs Napa gold and find some interesting story's.

just my opinion's

Good luck.

60ratrod · 06-27-2010, 02:45 PM

yeah a good wix filter will help. i run nothing less than 10w30 in my trucks. i get a little concerned when my oil pressure gets to 15psi or less at idle that's when i start getting concerned. on any carb'd v8 i always run a 180* t-stat and i love stant t-stats. in all the time that i have been using them i have yet to have a stant fail on me or act funny.

Hubscrub · 06-27-2010, 03:06 PM

i don't see any reason to worry, my car we build several years ago runs about 10 or so at idle and 30 down the road, dad always said a sbc can run with as little as 5-10lb pressure at idle (he made a living off working on this junk for 30+ years so i trust his judgement) like said above if you ain't hearing any noise you got oil pressure so i wouldn't let it bother me enjoy the drive

06-26-2010, 04:32 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	What are some healthy oil PSI readings? I have been keeping an eye on my pressure gauge lately and I notice that when im on the highway, im reading about 40-45 psi. When I come to a stop (feeder road) my psi drops below 10 and this is after a 30 min highway drive an 200 degree engine temp. The engine doesnt smoke or burn oil and runs like a top. What do you think? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

06-26-2010, 04:48 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? nothing to b alarmed at thats pretty normal for an old chevy __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-26-2010, 04:58 PM	#3
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? 10 PSI FOR EVERY 1000 RPMs WHEN WARM IS O-K. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

06-26-2010, 05:44 PM	#4
slomotion Old Duffer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 1,822	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? It's not broken....don't fix it. __________________ '68 Short C20 Flatbed Dually w/ 292 4bbl, Langdon cast headers, and WC T5 trans. '81 G10 Shorty Van "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers "Under promise, then over achieve."

06-26-2010, 05:52 PM	#5
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? ya ill live by the 10psi per 1000rpm but ive NEVER had one drop to 10psi or less at idle.... maybe step up to a 20w50 weight oil and hope for the best.. it may run that way for 1 million miles or it may run that way for another 10miles... i personally wouldnt like it being that low..... also whys your truck running at 200* ?

06-26-2010, 06:05 PM	#6
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? Heck the gages in thes old trucks are not that accurate, even the cheap after market ones. Some of the newer stuff is designed to run hotter than 200 degrees to meet smog requirements. All my engines seem to be happy running in the 180-200 degree range. As stated above 10 pounds for every 1000 rpms sounds about right. 10 pounds at idle would make me a little uncomfortable in an old engine, but not much. You could run 15-40 in the summer and something more like 10-30 in the winter. IMHO __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

06-26-2010, 06:39 PM	#7
Kurt L Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: ne florida Posts: 2,665	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? try a quart of lucas in your engine,i run a quart of lucas to 4 quarts of 20w50 get 30 pds at idle.45 to 50 pds at bout 60,65.but i have a 4.3 in my 91.

06-26-2010, 06:56 PM	#9
toms84ss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 121	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? If it's not making noise it's getting oil pressure. Run it.

06-26-2010, 07:48 PM	#10
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? The motor is about 6 years old. It runs great and has no engine noise. The plugs are also white. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

06-27-2010, 01:34 AM	#12
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? Mine isn't much better, mine's about 15psi at idle in gear (about 800 RPM's). Down the highway mine's about 40PSI as well. With the A/C on high, sitting in traffic, in 100 degree temps, my truck stays around 190. I think 200 is high for an old chevy. I had temp problems when I first installed my A/C (radiator was too small) and my truck ran like crap when it would spike to 200-205 degrees. New 4 core radiator and 190 T-stat and all is well __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

06-27-2010, 04:25 AM	#13
So.Cal.Super It'll Buff Out! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 603	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? What Brand of Oil Filter are you running? __________________ "Instructions are just another mans opinion" Become a Supporting Member http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php Man Card Rules http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634550 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super 400 LWB

06-27-2010, 06:43 AM	#14
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? I am running a microgaurd filter. My thermostat is 195 degree. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

06-27-2010, 01:57 PM	#17
So.Cal.Super It'll Buff Out! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 603	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? I run a 160 myself with a high flow water pump. 180 would be as high as I would go, and personally I like Robert Shaw thermostats. They flow better then stock. you can see the difference in flow restriction in the store. Next Oil Change I would suggest Changing to a Napa Gold filter. I was a skeptic a few years ago but when I changed from Fram to NG I saw a major oil pressure difference. you can search the forum for Fram vs Napa gold and find some interesting story's. just my opinion's Good luck. __________________ "Instructions are just another mans opinion" Become a Supporting Member http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php Man Card Rules http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634550 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super 400 LWB

06-27-2010, 02:45 PM	#18
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? yeah a good wix filter will help. i run nothing less than 10w30 in my trucks. i get a little concerned when my oil pressure gets to 15psi or less at idle that's when i start getting concerned. on any carb'd v8 i always run a 180* t-stat and i love stant t-stats. in all the time that i have been using them i have yet to have a stant fail on me or act funny. __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

06-27-2010, 03:06 PM	#19
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: What are some healthy oil PSI readings? i don't see any reason to worry, my car we build several years ago runs about 10 or so at idle and 30 down the road, dad always said a sbc can run with as little as 5-10lb pressure at idle (he made a living off working on this junk for 30+ years so i trust his judgement) like said above if you ain't hearing any noise you got oil pressure so i wouldn't let it bother me enjoy the drive __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14



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