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What is the proper/correct oil pressure? I have a GMPP 350 (290hp) and when it's idling, the pressure is 40-45 psi. But when I'm going down the interstate at 70mph (engine turning 3200 rpms), the oil pressure gauge pegs all the way to the right (80 psi). Everything on the engine performs perfectly....no oil seepage, stains or anything. Pulled the plugs....all perfect. When I do a search of the forum for "oil pressure", I get every thread with the word "oil" in it OR the word "pressure" in it. It even picks up "fuel pressure"....why can't it be simple?
Anyway, why is the gauge reading 80 psi at high rpms? Is this normal?
What is the proper/correct oil pressure? I have a GMPP 350 (290hp) and when it's idling, the pressure is 40-45 psi. But when I'm going down the interstate at 70mph (engine turning 3200 rpms), the oil pressure gauge pegs all the way to the right (80 psi). Everything on the engine performs perfectly....no oil seepage, stains or anything. Pulled the plugs....all perfect. When I do a search of the forum for "oil pressure", I get every thread with the word "oil" in it OR the word "pressure" in it. It even picks up "fuel pressure"....why can't it be simple?
Anyway, why is the gauge reading 80 psi at high rpms? Is this normal?
You need at least 10 PSI per 1000 RPM. Check your oil pressure with an aftermarket guage, your factory guage may not be calibrated properly. If it is right it sounds like you can go with a lower viscocity oil. What weight oil are you running?
VetteGuy, If you want to find posts about just oil pressure try this:
advanced search, select "Search titles only", then put plus signs in front of your keywords: +oil +pressure
VetteGuy, If you want to find posts about just oil pressure try this:
advanced search, select "Search titles only", then put plus signs in front of your keywords: +oil +pressure
What is the proper/correct oil pressure? I have a GMPP 350 (290hp) and when it's idling, the pressure is 40-45 psi. But when I'm going down the interstate at 70mph (engine turning 3200 rpms), the oil pressure gauge pegs all the way to the right (80 psi). Everything on the engine performs perfectly....no oil seepage, stains or anything. Pulled the plugs....all perfect. When I do a search of the forum for "oil pressure", I get every thread with the word "oil" in it OR the word "pressure" in it. It even picks up "fuel pressure"....why can't it be simple?
Anyway, why is the gauge reading 80 psi at high rpms? Is this normal?
According to the Pace Chevy website the GM 290(350) crate uses a high volume oil pump. its a GM part number so i dont know what the pressure bypass is set at, i would have thought lower than 70-80 psi, since that is usually the bypass range of a high pressure pump. however many HV pumps also have a higher pressure spring, not all though.
Given all that, plus a new motor with the tight clearances of a new motor, your pressure doesnt seem out of the ordinary to me
Almost all oil pumps, even oem are made by Melling.
The relief valve is set at 70 psi for all their HV pumps, and it can vary a few psi, high or low. Your gauge is approx off by 10 psi.
Ir you want lower oil pressure, either change to a lighter weight oil, (common with new cars these days 0w30), or change the relief spring in the oil pump to a lighter one.
I have the same scenerio with my '69 300/350. If I'm idling it's around 35-40 and once I get the rpm going it seems to get up to 75 and even the guage limit 80. I talked to someone at my local garage that seemed to have some knowledge (although I wouldn't bet my life on it) and he said he wouldn't be worried unless it was bouncing all around especially bottoming out, which it isn't.
I guess I wonder now if I should try using a lower viscosity oil or change out the oil pressure sending unit.????
I have the same pressures with my new melling performance oil pump :
60 PSI cold at idle
40-45 PSI hot at idle
80-90 PSI hot at high RPM
But if you get these pressures with the stock oil pump and 10W30, something is wrong. My original oil pump never reached more than 55-60 PSI and this was with cold oil
With my new oil pump, I bought a new mechanical AutoMeter oil pressure gauge to withstand the higher pressures :
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jun 2, 2009 at 12:14 PM.