Oil Pressure

[CAPTAINK5-CT]

Ok, when I start up my pressure runs about 60 on the stock guage. After warm up, while cruising it stays around 30+. After warm up, while parked and idling it drops to the notch before 30. It used to always stay around 30. Any thoughts? Please don't tell me it's the bearings.

 

[xtreme_wlr]

Have you changed the oil recently? Possibly the oil pickup tube could be clogged/obstructed. How many miles are on the engine?

'78 Chevy 1 ton Stepside RockCrawler
468 BB, SM465, NP205
D60 front, GM 14Bolt rear w/ Detroit
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://65.11.18.114>http://65.11.18.114</A>

 

['73 K5]

Is it an electrical gauge? If so, maybe the sending unit is cracking out on you. Get a mechanical one.

'73 K5
Chevy good...Ford bad

 

[Pugsley]

I'd pop for the 12 bucks and replace the sender - sounds like it'll solve your problem.

 

[LittlePig]

What grade of oil are you running? If the engine has higher miles, the clearances may have opened up enough that oil may be escaping out of various places before reaching the pressure sensor. Try running higher weight oil. Also, the pump itself may be wearing, so that it can't pump as well as before.

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[muddin4fun]

How many miles? What type of motor?
Assuming it's a chevy small block that has some miles:

A small block is not in danger even with 8 psi. The pressure you're running is fine. The motor is not new anymore (which I am assuming) and it wears and opens up a bit. When the bearings start to go, it'll drop real low. You can replace the sending unit if it'll make you feel better. If that makes it better, then great! If not, then you're only out 12 bucks. I think it's your motor showing some miles on it is all.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://k5chevyblazer.homestead.com/home.html>http://k5chevyblazer.homestead.com/home.html</A>

 

[87K54WD]

I have the EXACT same readings on my '87 stock 350. I have about 81,000 original miles. I have no problems and was told by my uncle (1st owner) that it always ran that way. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Blazer1970]

Nothing to worry about. You would not have any problems with 5 psi at idle.

Tim

70 Blazer CST 4X4 350 SM465 NP205
87 Burb 4X4 350
01 GMC 2500HD 4X4 Duramax/Allison

 

[backlash]

30 psi? Haven't seen that in years!

88 / 350 / 185,000 miles, just started to puff at start up. Still going strong ...

Don't worry about it!

 

[CAPTAINK5-CT]

86, 305 with 114,000 on the clock. Thanks for the tips, now I have stuff to work with.

 

[Eagle86K5]

My 86,305 with 135,000 still runs 40 at idle...I just change the oil every 3000 abd it runs great...

 

[maddog]

The small block requires about 10psi for every thousand rpm's
10 psi=1000 rpms
60psi=6000 rpms
Read this in Hotrodding the small block chevy its an old book but good

Hind sight is always 20:20