Oil pressure poll: please take sec and answer

[Okiemuddog]

I am taking a poll just out of curiousity /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif to see what everyones oil pressure avaerages at idle. This poll is meant for rigs running small block V8's.

<FORM METHOD=POST ACTION="http://coloradok5.com/forums/dopoll.php"><INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME="pollname" VALUE="1055565455Okiemuddog">


Oil pressure at idle:

<input type="radio" name="option" value="1" />0-10
<input type="radio" name="option" value="2" />11-20
<input type="radio" name="option" value="3" />21-30
<input type="radio" name="option" value="4" />31-40
<input type="radio" name="option" value="5" />41-50
<input type="radio" name="option" value="6" />51-60
<input type="radio" name="option" value="7" />60+
<INPUT TYPE=Submit NAME=Submit VALUE="Submit vote" class="buttons"></form>


Thanks for the answers. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[89GMCSuburban]

Just to let you know, my engine has about 6,000 miles on it and I run about 30-35 PSI at idle when warm. Gage maxes out when cold...

 

[Sinful_Nature]

I have a question~&gt; I have about 30K on a 350 GM crate motor, and at idle the pressure drops between 5 and 10lbs, and averages 25 to 30 when I am working it.

I was thinking of swapping out the pump, I really don't like seeing it that at idle. Any thoughts on this?

~ Russ

 

[tecton]

i was always told if it was too low your motor would b burning up, if it stays at one certain level its fine...just watch for drastic changes...thats when u get worried

i mean if it stays on 5 forever but doesnt move, and engine is fine...then whats the prob right?

 

[bigblock44k5]

as a rule of thumb, you should have 10psi for every thousand rpms you run. therefor 10 psi at an idle is acceptable. if you redline at 5000, you should max out at 50 psi. going over this wil only cause more friction in your motor to turn a high volume pump which you dont need. if your truck maxes out at 30 i would take it over 3000 rpms except in short bursts.

 

[Sinful_Nature]

Once and awhile it drops below 5 but in general stays pretty consistent. On a personal level though I always thought it should be higher at idle. Safer perhaps...

Hey thanks for the info bigblock, suppose I should get a tach hook up and see what she's running at.

~ Russ

 

[bigblock44k5]

no prob, these are guidelines for a fresh motor putting out a decent amount of power to keep it from destroying itself. in a stock motor with less power it wont kill itslef as fast, but you could use some 20w-50 motor oil to prolong it and keep it quiet. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Sinful_Nature]

Already have the 20-50 in. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif My motor is pretty fresh with stock cam and heads, everything else is aftermarket, so it takes a little abuse.

 

[bigblock44k5]

doesnt sound too good if the motor is fresh but has 5 or less at an idle. did you rebuild it? if not they might have scammed you.... /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

 

[Sinful_Nature]

I bought it from my local GM dealer, in crate and all. But that doesn't mean I didn't get scammed. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Other the Pressure it runs great.

 

[SUBFAN]

SBC's generally run low on the oil pressure. Those numbers really aren't all that uncommon. I ran Pontiacs for a long time, and after installing a pressure gauge on my first Chevy, I thought something was wrong too.

Stock ratings between the two is like 30 psi....

I would like more pressure at idle than 5 psi, but if the motor is happy with it....

 

[bigblock44k5]

they dont usually run THAT low.

 

[fortcollinsram]

FWIW, my 454 that was just rebuilt, has around 25 at idle and 75 when it gets above 2000rpm...it never goes above 75 b/c that is what the relief spring is in my pump... Oh an that is with 10w30...when cold it is 75 ad idle and then slowly coms down to 25 once at temp...

 

[Can Can]

Before you worry too much I would recommend swapping in a new oil sender. My oil pressure was reading low but after hooking up a gauge in place of the sender I realized that my sender wasn't working properly and wasn't relaying my oil pressure accurately. A new sender fixed that.

Just my 2 cents, brother.

 

[Zeus33rd]

I know you asked for small block info-

But on my big block it pegs the 60PSI gauge when it's cold. When hot, probably 35-45PSI.Running 10-40 I think. /forums/images/graemlins/pimp1.gif

 

[Z3PR]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a question~&gt; I have about 30K on a 350 GM crate motor, and at idle the pressure drops between 5 and 10lbs, and averages 25 to 30 when I am working it.

I was thinking of swapping out the pump, I really don't like seeing it that at idle. Any thoughts on this?

~ Russ

[/ QUOTE ] Try a thicker oil like 20/50.