My oil pressure is dropping to15 psi is this normal

[Big Al 63c10]

I have a 63 chevy C 10, I swapped the motor for a 1971 camaro engine I don't know if it's a 350 or a 327 when I start the truck oil pressure seems to be fine at 30 psi, however after I drive it around when I come to a stop it drops to 15 psi is this normal? Thanks
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[theastronaut]

It's normal for oil to thin out when it warms up, and this makes the pressure drop. On my VW, the oil pressure can hit over 100psi in mornings whenever it's below 40 degrees but normally runs 50psi once the oil warms up. I'm not sure if 15psi at idle is acceptable for a small block, but most guys I know use the 10psi per 1000 rpm rule so going by that you should be safe. There's no load on the engine at idle so it doesn't need alot of oil pressure then. What is the pressure while driving it around? I'm coming from a VW engine background though, so I'll let somebody more knowledgeable chime in.

[purebred]

As long as it don't knock, you should be ok, sounds like a little clearence in the bearings, does it smoke? I wouldn't worry as long as it don't make knocking noise's. Just my 2 cents worth.

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by purebred

As long as it don't knock, you should be ok, sounds like a little clearence in the bearings, does it smoke? I wouldn't worry as long as it don't make knocking noise's. Just my 2 cents worth.

I'd 2nd that.

[chevy_mike]

What weight oil are you using?

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Warmed up and Idling at 20 pounds of pressure.
Driving anywhere between 40-50 pounds of pressure depending on RPM range.

What Determines Oil Pressure?
http://www.international-auto.com/fi...ure-gauges.cfm

http://joegibbsdriven.com/products/hotrod/hr2.html

[Big Al 63c10]

There is no knocking or smoking I use 10w30, at least I think it is, thanks, it drives ok, I'm just worried I'm going to blow the engine
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[blackmopar]

id agree with above - if youre not hearing valve chatter at idle then your probably fine - Im in the same boat - no idea how many miles on a ebuilt 350 - I get lucky some cold mornings and can get the needle to 30, but most of the day im driving around 20 and idle pressure is almost nothing and still no valve chatter
I run Rotella 15w40 and did notice better pressure - you might give it a try - bobtheoilguy has alot of threads on the topic of using diesel oil in a gasoline engine

[Big Al 63c10]

Thanks guys
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[T Smith]

15psi idling in a hot small block chebbie is just fine..

[463]

Old school rule of thumb is 10 LBS per 1000 RPM .

[HEI451]

Al, I used to live in Whittier, moved from there to here. I lived just at Norwalk Blvd and Broadway, in that tract of houses just behind the probation department.

What brand oil filter is on it, if I might ask? I have a suspicion it is a Fram. Did you just put it on the engine?

[losthope]

I was had something like this going on when i first dropped my 350 crate engine in, whenever i came to a stop light the oil pressure dropped down to 15 psi it would drive just fine when i stepped on the gas but everytime i was at a stop it would drop down sometimes to 10 psi, I finally figured out that the cheap chrome hold down clamp for the distributor i just had to have cause it was chrome, was letting the distributor turn back and forth no matter how much i would tighten it,so when i came to a stop it would retard the timing so the oil pressure was dropping way low, when i stepped on the gas it would advance a little and drive fine.....would drive me nuts.....I figured it out because my timing would be off sometimes so i was all ways checking it with a timing gun,I pulled a steel rusty one out of my parts coffee can and installed it and it brought the oil pressure up when i would stop because my timing wasnt moving anymore.... this may not be whats going on with yours but might be worth checking.

[doubleb's69]

If its out of a a 71 camaro ( last three casting #'s should be 014 ) and it was the cars original engine its a 350. My 68 GMC had a 350 out of a 73 camaro and I'm pretty sure it was never rebuilt and it carried around 10 psi when warm and idleing under load and around 25-30 while driving. I used 20w50 in it seeing as I only drove it in the summer. My 95 silverado has about 15 pounds under load while idleing and about 35 while driving. The spec on the tbi engine is 7 pounds idleing and 20 pounds warmed up and under load so I think you will be alright. Just drive the wheels off of it.