oil pressure

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Oct 2, 2013 | 07:05 PM

swensonm

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 332

Likes: 1

From: San Antonio TX

oil pressure

I have searched but have not found so here goes. 74 L82 never rebuilt
What should my pressure at idle? Seems high at 60. Was about 40 before last oil change. Going to check with a gage other than console

Mike

Oct 2, 2013 | 07:26 PM

donyue

Pro

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 523

Likes: 4

From: Calgary Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by swensonm

Hi Mike,

My oil pressure is high at engine startup - 80 psi, but after the engine warms up normal operating temperature the pressure drops down to about 45 psi according to the gauge.

As the oil thins during warm up the pressure will go down. I believe this is normal for my engine.

Oct 2, 2013 | 07:44 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

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From: Crossville TN

Thicker oil will raise the pressure level. What viscosity installed at last oil change?

Oct 2, 2013 | 09:43 PM

TedH

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 8,351

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From: Tampa Bay FL

Just swapped out a Mellings High Volume to install stock volume.

At start-up, cold: 60+psi at idle

Once warm, about 40psi at idle

Sounds about right.

Oct 3, 2013 | 10:48 AM

REELAV8R

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 6,284

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From: Hermosa

Quote:

At start-up, cold: 60+psi at idle

Once warm, about 40psi at idle

Sounds about right.

60 psi cold at idle is ok. Once warm should be more like 40ish.

Oct 11, 2013 | 01:38 PM

swensonm

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 332

Likes: 1

From: San Antonio TX

pressure

Gents thanks for the answers. I will put a gage on the car this weekend but my factory gage is reading around 80 psi cold and around 65 at idle but at 70MPH is is back to 80. running 10-30. Am I going to cause any damage?

Oct 11, 2013 | 02:35 PM

REELAV8R

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 6,284

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From: Hermosa

Quote:

but at 70MPH is is back to 80. running 10-30. Am I going to cause any damage?

Maybe. Cold starts may cause some bearing wear if oil is so thick for the clearances your running that your getting that kind of pressure. Damage probably be limited to excessive wear on the distributor gear since it's working hard to give you 80 psi.
I would be somewhat concerned about oil bypassing the filter at 80 while in cruise.
I run 0w-40 mobil 1 with a high flow filter. running a 0w-something will drop that pressure a bit. My logic on high flow filter is it's better to have more filter media and maybe courser media to prevent bypassing of the filter at higher pressures and flow rates.