Oil Pressure?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
My engine still has really good bearing tolerances so I have 40-70 idle to cruise oil pressure using 10-30.
OP -
With a lot more wear, like on a high mileage engine, those numbers will be somewhat diminished. Maybe half???
What are your readings when hot at both idle and cruise?
If it is a bit low for you, consider a heavier weight oil.
Last edited by Durango_Boy; Nov 30, 2007 at 10:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
My engine still has really good bearing tolerances so I have 40-70 idle to cruise oil pressure using 10-30.
With a lot more wear, like on a high mileage engine, those numbers will be somewhat diminished. Maybe half???
What are your readings when hot at both idle and cruise?
If it is a bit low for you, consider a heavier weight oil.
With a lot more wear, like on a high mileage engine, those numbers will be somewhat diminished. Maybe half???
What are your readings when hot at both idle and cruise?
If it is a bit low for you, consider a heavier weight oil.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Ideally, you want 10psi per 1000rpm, hot. So, you're looking for 30# at 3000, 40# at 4000, and so on. A little more at hot idle is fine, but you certainly don't want to be seeing anything near 50# then. If you're below that 10/1000, try a heavier viscosity and see if that does the trick. Just be sure to watch your pressures during seasonal changes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Understand that (unlike a Ford) small Chevys take their oil pressure tap from the upper aft end of the block which is the last place to recieve oil. A 15-20 psi reading at idle is nothing to be concerned about, since it's already past the crank and cam by the time it produces a reading at the gauge.
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