Is there such a thing as 2 much oil pressure?

[72superBB]

Is it possible to have too high of oil pressure? If you oil level is at normal operating level, what other factors are there?

The p/o said he put in a high volume pump. The oil pressure gauge is almost all the way to the right at idle when it is first started. When it has run for a while is is about 2/3 ofthe way over. With acceleration or revving the engine it pegs to the right.

thanks

Ron

[Tx Firefighter]

Typical of a high volume pump.

If everything in the engine is within proper tolerances, there is no need for a high volume pump. They actually waste horsepower.

[Longhorn Man]

And they can suck the pan dry in extreem situations.

[dinnut]

if you didnt have the high volume oil pump id say you didnt have enough oil

[1969 GMC]

Originally posted by dinnut
if you didnt have the high volume oil pump id say you didnt have enough oil

if you didn't have enough oil pressure, the gauge would make a dive to the left hand side...not the right.

EDIT: now that I reread this, I have noticed that in my truck if I am running a quart low, the gauge doesn't change...maybe the gauge is broken or maybe it is all relative? I am not sure.

[72superBB]

So if you add that oil keeps coming out of the breather cap that sits on the valve cover, what would you say then?

I have posted this before. I was told piston rings stuck, blowby, vacume does not work.

If I put an oil filler cap and basically plug the valve cover, isn't oil going to find another way out? That is why I am asking if there may be too much pressure.

Where does the needle travel on your oil pressure gauges at idle and at driving speeds?

[dinnut]

i didnt say not enough oil pressure, i said not enough oil. less oil in the system will create more pressure, at least thats what ive been told

[stelth2002]

I have a hard time believeing that having less oil will cause more pressure. Less oil and your going to start to suck air and fry bearings.

[Class of 69]

Oil coming out of the breather cap isn't caused by high oil pressure. It is caused by excessive blow by, which is a product of the compression going past the rings or valve seats and into the block. A high pressure pump will put more oil up in the head thru the push rods, and IF one of the push rods is directly in line with your breather cap, it MAY cause it to leak.....but the oil I saw in the pics of your original post is very excessive for that situation. If you have replaced the valve covers with baffled ones and are still having this problem, I strongly suggest you do a compression test to see what is going on in the cylinders. It does appear that the oil is from a piston ring or valve seat problem.

[Longhorn Man]

less oil will NOT create more pressure. Just more VISA bills.

If you are getting oil out the breather, then you have too much blow my more likely than not. Yuor rings/bore are getting worn.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally posted by dinnut
less oil in the system will create more pressure, at least thats what ive been told

Fer cryin out loud, where do you get this stuff at?

Might be time to read a few books. A hydraulics text book seems appropriate.

I guess next time I have a worn engine with low oil pressure I should let a couple of quarts out the bottom to fix it.

[72superBB]

I have not gotten the baffled covers yet. I will here pretty soon. I will tolerate it until then and then try he baffled covers for a while.

If the engine is already bored .60 over, should I just get a new block and start over?

thanks

Ron

[junkyardjohn]

RON -- YOU SEEM TO BE GETTING ALL KINDS OF ADVICE HERE. CONFUSED YET?? LOL (POSTED BY DINNUT i didnt say not enough oil pressure, i said not enough oil. less oil in the system will create more pressure, at least thats what ive been told)
( THATS TOTAL BULL****..... DON'T TRY IT)
(POSTED BY CLASS OF 69) Oil coming out of the breather cap isn't caused by high oil pressure. It is caused by excessive blow by, which is a product of the compression going past the rings or valve seats and into the block) WELL THATS NOT THE CASE THAT I'VE FOUND. EVERY MOTOR (INCLUDING BRAND NEW CRATE MOTORS) THAT I'VE BUILT, & PUT A HIGH VOLUME PUMP IN, & I PUT A MELLING H/V PUMP IN EVERY ONE, BLOWS A LITTLE OIL OUT THE BREATHER. THESE ARE MOTORS WITH NEW PISTONS, RINGS, VALVES & SEATS, SEALS ECT. (POSTED BY LONGHORN MAN) (And they can suck the pan dry in extreem situations.) MAYBE AT 7,000 RPMS FOR 20 MINUTES, BUT NOT DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I USUALLY PUT A 9 QT. PAN ON MOST OF THE MOTORS THAT I BUILD, BUT IT'S NOT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I'LL SUCK A 5 QT. PAN DRY. LOL . IT'S BECAUSE I WANT MORE OIL VOLUME.
RON --- MORE OIL IS GOOD --- MORE OIL PRESSURE IS GOOD --- IF YOUR RELYING ON A 32 YEAR OLD FACTORY GAGE, HOOK UP A GOOD AFTERMARKET GAGE, EVEN IF TEMPORARILY.

[oldsub86]

I have a recently rebuilt 302 Ford engine with a Melling high volume oil pump on it. It runs about 80# pressure at idle when cold and about 60# when warmed up. It doesn't seem to cause any problems. I am not losing oil out of the breather on the valve cover. It has the factory valve covers - nothing fancy. Your problem may be elsewhere.

[WRMZ71]

I go with junkyard. Most if not all motors have some blowby to an extent. As long as you don't have oil blowing out seals then I wouldn't think you have to much oil pressure...Oil Pressure Is Good!!!

[72superBB]

Here ya go.

I am putting valve covers with baffles on them. This should stop or reduce the amount of oil coming out.

Should I now put a oil cap on the passenger valve cover insted of the breather cap? To close this hole off completly. Would this affect anything? Air getting into the engine, since the only other opening is the pcv valve and it sucks air in.

Since the factory gauges have no mumbers on them, where should it be pointing to?

Since I only do driving around town and trips back and forth to a town 20 miles away, should I put a normal oil pump on or stick with what i have?

Also what are these type of rockers?

thanks for all your input!

Ron

[72superBB]

pic#2

[bigvinnie]

I've got a hi volume pump in my 350 and at startup, while idling, the needle will almost max out on the gauge, then settle just below half once it's warmed up.

I believe mine is a Melling pump. I suppose pumps and gauges vary, which would explain why yours reads a bit higher.

I would concur with the blowby theory, let us know your compression test results...

[smokekiki]

I believe the factory oil pressure gauges are set a t 40# or 60# max.If you are running a high volume pump and a weak 40# 30 year old gauge,or even a brand new one ,you are going to peg the needle!Put the baffles in and keep the breather.My big block pegged the stock gauge at idle.A good aftermarket gauge is the way to go.Unless you are a pro drag racer,don't worry about the hp loss.

[dinnut]

sorry. im stupid..... SORRY!!!!! AH! someone stole my account --- swear!

[Tx Firefighter]

72Super, you have some very high dollar aftermarket roller rockers there. There is a chance that they will hit a set of stock valve covers. Stock covers are much lower profile than what you have now. Double check before running it with new covers.

[smokekiki]

dinnut,You might not know everything about engines,who does?,but you have a cool web site,thanks for sharing all those pics!

[junkyardjohn]

I BELIEVE THOSE ARE CRANE ALUMINUM FULL ROLLER ROCKERS. I HAVE THE SAME ONES ON MY 468. JOHN

[72superBB]

here are the compression results

__________________firewall

passenger side _____________________drivers side
155_________________________________ 145

150_________________________________ 150

160_________________________________ 145

145_________________________________ 140

hope this helps

[junkyardjohn]

SOUNDS LIKE GREAT NUMERS TO ME