Oil pressure

[Chris shipley]

If anyone has gauges in their car. What's your oil pressure at idling and driving 

[S.Maug]

cold 50  after warmup-hot 30  that's my 70 SS

[Scott S.]

350 cid.

60-65 psi cold idle.

35-45 psi warm idle.

60-65 psi at warm running @ 2000-2200 rpm.

[Whons]

I wish I had a oil pressure gauge but I tried to get the fitting off and couldn't and it is so close to the fire wall,  I didn't want to break it. So that's the only thing I  just have the light.

[RON T]

40 psi idle, 1971 454

[72-CLASSIC_RIDE]

402 CI Motor/ Auto 3 Speed TH400 Tranny - 

Cold Start - 60 lbs

Engine Operating Temp at Idle (900 RPM) -  25 LBS.

Doug 

[Scott S.]

2 hours ago, Whons said:

I wish I had a oil pressure gauge but I tried to get the fitting off and couldn't and it is so close to the fire wall,  I didn't want to break it. So that's the only thing I  just have the light.

Yeah..... Not exactly positioned in a great place.

Couple weeks ago the tubing snapped off right at the compression fitting and poured 2 liters/quarts down the back of the engine.

I imagine a big block is even tighter. 

[rsorg]

guys i have a big block ,and put in a brass fitting by the oil filter that would accommadate two outlets one for the idiot light the other for the oil pressure gauge , not to hard to do but that was 35 plus years ago works great ,roger

[Whons]

Did you tap a hole for a 1/8" pipe fitting? I would have to see a print of where to drill and tap. Could you just leave the idiot light hooked up back by the firewall and just add a new sensor fitting down by the oil filter and run it to a oil pressure gage?

[420ponies]

My 420 hp 355cu.in. small block was" tee'd" off at the original location, next to distributor ,with (sending unit for the idiot light ) and then added copper oil line to Stewart oil pressure gauge (mechanical),ran that through firewall to gauge cluster (oil, temp,volts). For the new Big Block(427), just running both gauges as before. Big block main line above oil filter,(sending unit), mechanical gauge  from oil main off side of block just ahead of oil filter. I know a "tee" fitting will work on the small block. Just need a short 1/8" pipe thread for the stand. Sender on 1 side, oil gauge on the other. Now, that little small block had 80 psi on start up and around 40 psi in gear , After it is warmed up to 180 degrees engine temp. I ran 20-50w Brad Penn Oil in it all the time I had it, then switched to Valvoline 20-50 Racing oil for the zinc. I think the Valvoline Racing Oil has more zinc percentages. Mind you this engine had clearences more like a race engine. Hope this helps.

Edited June 5, 2024 by 420ponies
content

[Whons]

I can't get the fitting by the distributor loose, afraid to break it.   The idiot light does work. I'll have to look above the oil filter. So you are saying that if I have a threaded plug above the oil filter that I can put a sending unit for oil pressure in that port?

[rsorg]

yes wayne i removed the sending unit and replaced it with a male threaded brass angled fitting that has 2 openings 1/8th ,female and reinstalled my sending unit and put in a tubing line that goes to my stewart warner oil pressure gauge

[Whons]

I want to leave the existing sensor in block by the distributor for the idiot light, only because I can't get the fitting loose.  I want to know if I have a threaded port above the oil filter can I put another sensor for a mechanical pressure gauge. 

[jft69z]

Big blocks have a spot near the oil filter, small blocks don't.

[Whons]

Hey Joe, is there anywhere else There's a port for a oil pressure gauge. the fitting back by the distributor I can't get loose. I'm afraid it will break.

[jft69z]

Nope, not that I'm aware of, or conveniently located.

[John S]

Small block.

[Marks71]

6 hours ago, Whons said:

Hey Joe, is there anywhere else There's a port for an oil pressure gauge. the fitting back by the distributor I can't get loose. I'm afraid it will break.

If you could post a photo like what John posted, showing what you currently have, maybe some additional eyes might be able to make some suggestions on how to go about doing the removal. Is it because of the poor access that you can’t properly get a tool on the fitting that’s causing the fear of breakage? Being primarily exposed to oil and oil residue it shouldn’t be seized.

[Grant MacPherson]

There is a special socket for this sending unit and then use a universal extension.  I will see if I can find mine and post a picture.

[John S]

 

2 hours ago, Grant MacPherson said:

There is a special socket for this sending unit and then use a universal extension.  I will see if I can find mine and post a picture.

Proto 6524 3/8 Drive socket

[Grant MacPherson]

Yup, looks familiar 

[Whons]

So the sensor threads into the fitting? I have very poor access to it 

 

[Whons]

Well I'll have to wait 2 weeks to try it. I just had surgery yesterday on my left elbow for bursitis. Thanks for the info.  Wayne 

[Dtret]

50 minutes ago, Whons said:

Well I'll have to wait 2 weeks to try it. I just had surgery yesterday on my left elbow for bursitis. Thanks for the info.  Wayne 

You have another arm. Just kidding. I’m going to have that done to my knee at some point. Not looking forward to it. 

[Whons]

Thanks Dennis, I just bought the socket on Ebay. Good luck on your knee. I had a total knee replacement 2 years ago. Just keep up with physical therapy, and you'll be fine.