((((( oil pressure )))))
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
to OP..GM says as little as 8psi at idle is OK and the rule of thumb is 10psi /1000rpm... Mine has a HV Pump and goes to 80+ cold.. settles around 70 hot and drops to about 60 at idle... 15-20 psi idling on a stock motor and pump is more than sufficient.. you have nothing to worry about.... BTW , if someone tells you 75psi oil pressure will groove your bearings...DON T ASK THEM ANY MORE ENGINE QUESTIONS...lol
Last edited by fishslayer143; Jul 23, 2016 at 03:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
to OP..GM says as little as 8psi at idle is OK and the rule of thumb is 10psi /1000rpm... Mine has a HV Pump and goes to 80+ cold.. settles around 70 hot and drops to about 60 at idle... 15-20 psi idling on a stock motor and pump is more than sufficient.. you have nothing to worry about.... BTW , if someone tells you 75psi oil pressure will groove your bearings...DON T ASK THEM ANY MORE ENGINE QUESTIONS...lol
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Brandenburg ky
You are fine
Thin oil reads lower pressure you are fine at that pressure at idle.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 494
Likes: 93
From: Bucks County PA
There are very few folks on this forum who will remember this, but back in the dinosaur days, it was quite common for the oil pressure light to flicker at idle. The idiot light sender had a trip point of around 5-7 psi. The solution was not to overhaul the engine, but to raise the idle speed by 50 or so rpm or just ignore it.
So true...
I was a kid and my dad had a brand new Chevy C-10 Pickup w/ the "Massive" 307 engine. back in 1973... ha..
Not sure if '73/'74 is far enough back to be the dinosaur days but:
That is EXACTLY the scenario that played out during PA Inspection in 1974! I remember him going to the garage for it's 2nd or 3rd inspection (Inspections used to be every 6 months back then) and sitting on the seat while the mechanic explained it to him. I was 7 years old...
Last edited by 76C3forme; Jul 24, 2016 at 08:06 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
Mine (L48) also is a little low for my pleasure at 40ish cold @ 2500 rpm, seems to settle in at about 35 at normal temp, but also a lowish 15 at idle when warmed up.
I'd love to see another 10 lbs over the entire range, but no way am I taking it apart just for that reason.
Glad to hear others are similar to my situation.
mardyn
I'd love to see another 10 lbs over the entire range, but no way am I taking it apart just for that reason.
Glad to hear others are similar to my situation.
mardyn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
If your motor is stock and never sees high RPM , a stock pump is just fine.. no need for anything else..however....In these stock Chevy small block oil pumps, cavitation typically occurs around 5,000 rpm, causing the pump’s output to flatline regardless of how much faster the engine revs.... If you are revving to 6500 or 7000 rpm, a stock pump is a risk of engine failure ...the rule of thumb applies... 10 psi for every 1000 rpm
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