Olds 350, what oil pressure is normal?

[cam.man67]

Ive been noticing since I bought the truck that my oil pressure in Lester seems a little lower than what I'm used to in other vehicles. At idle (when warmed up ), the Oldsmobile 350 is around 10 psi, and until 3000 rpm gets up to about 30. About 3000, it stays in the 30-40 range. Is that normal? Does that seem low?

[Zane M]

10 PSI per 1000 RPM is considered acceptable pressure in most cases.
Are you using a mechanical gauge or one with an electronic sender?
You can verify that your readings are correct with a mechanical gauge, if you aren't already using one.

[mrolds88]

Cam, 10 per 1000 is acceptable, but low. I would double check it too. If it still is, I would replace the pump.

[russgt]

What weight oil are you running?

[cam.man67]

Originally Posted by Zane M

10 PSI per 1000 RPM is considered acceptable pressure in most cases.
Are you using a mechanical gauge or one with an electronic sender?
You can verify that your readings are correct with a mechanical gauge, if you aren't already using one.

Ok, thanks for letting me know. I'm assuming "most cases" includes just putzing around to and from my home and rental farms? I'm not doing a ton (any, really) heavy work or pushing the engine hard.

Originally Posted by russgt

What weight oil are you running?

10w30, generally no-name-brand high mileage stuff.

[Corts60]

First of all, you should probably ditch that high mileage garbage and run some 10w40 and add lucas oil stabilizer. The high mileage oils don't do anything helpful for flat tappet engines.

Also, the Olds manual considers 8 psi at idle, at operating temp OK. I think that is a little low but my Olds runs around 10 psi when it is hot at idle. Been that way for the last several years with no issues.

[SourTooth307]

I'm curious what Olds 350 you have in your C-10. I'm really interested in swapping out an Olds 307 for one of those in my Cadillac and I wanted to know more about them.....

[cam.man67]

Originally Posted by Corts60

First of all, you should probably ditch that high mileage garbage and run some 10w40 and add lucas oil stabilizer. The high mileage oils don't do anything helpful for flat tappet engines.

Also, the Olds manual considers 8 psi at idle, at operating temp OK. I think that is a little low but my Olds runs around 10 psi when it is hot at idle. Been that way for the last several years with no issues.

Ok, thanks for that. I generally use 10w30 because that what all the vehicle on the farm use, but the Lucas is a good idea. Thanks.

Originally Posted by SourTooth307

I'm curious what Olds 350 you have in your C-10. I'm really interested in swapping out an Olds 307 for one of those in my Cadillac and I wanted to know more about them.....

I'm not sure, to be honest. It was put in Lester long before I owned it, I assume because it was easier to swap the 5.7 diesel out for Olds power than Chevy power. It's gota a Q-Jet, but beyond that I don;t know anything about it. I really like the motor, though; after it warms up, it's a really sweet, torquey engine.

[SourTooth307]

Originally Posted by cam.man67

I'm not sure, to be honest. It was put in Lester long before I owned it, I assume because it was easier to swap the 5.7 diesel out for Olds power than Chevy power. It's gota a Q-Jet, but beyond that I don;t know anything about it. I really like the motor, though; after it warms up, it's a really sweet, torquey engine.

I've heard really good things about them and that they are pretty much a swap-out for the 307's. Not to jack the thread for non-Chevy things, but if it can perform well in a C-10 then I can imagine it would be more than comfortable pushing a big lux-o-liner like my Caddy around.....