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74 454/High Engine Oil Pressure Question

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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 02:51 PM
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Default 74 454/High Engine Oil Pressure Question

Hi All -


I'm trying to determine what the problem is with my 74/454. Reading oil pressure 0f 80 psi even after idle with engine warmed up. I'm trying to figure out the most likely cause. Also noticed a pretty good oil leak at the oil pan drain plug. I'm a newbie and trying to learn how so any advice on where to start would be much appreciated. Thank you!
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 03:14 PM
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you need to temporarily connect a hand held gauge to determine if you really have that high a pressure reading. Based on that test you either have a problem with the oil pump or the in car gauge.
what viscosity oil are you using?
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 74VetteAZ
Hi All -


I'm trying to determine what the problem is with my 74/454. Reading oil pressure 0f 80 psi even after idle with engine warmed up. I'm trying to figure out the most likely cause. Also noticed a pretty good oil leak at the oil pan drain plug. I'm a newbie and trying to learn how so any advice on where to start would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Did the oil pressure increase all of a sudden with no changes to the engine? Or, has it always been that high?
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 03:30 PM
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Recently bought the car - not sure what oil is in it - oil filter is AC Delco - oil level is full. I thought maybe it could be the pressure sending unit?
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 03:34 PM
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Previously it was in the normal range - just went to start it up after sitting for a couple of weeks - pegged the gauge at 80 psi. After engine was at operating temp gauge still pegged at 80. When key is turned off gauge goes to zero
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 74VetteAZ
Previously it was in the normal range - just went to start it up after sitting for a couple of weeks - pegged the gauge at 80 psi. After engine was at operating temp gauge still pegged at 80. When key is turned off gauge goes to zero
If it was fine a few weeks ago and then fully pegged the gauge when you recently started the car, it's likely the gauge sender.
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 03:49 PM
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Thank you very much - I'll start there - Part supplier shows one unit for that model year
(74) Do you know if the 454 uses the same pressure sending unit as the 350?
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 74VetteAZ
Previously it was in the normal range - just went to start it up after sitting for a couple of weeks - pegged the gauge at 80 psi. After engine was at operating temp gauge still pegged at 80. When key is turned off gauge goes to zero
Did you drive the car to get the oil fully warmed up? My LT-1 pegs the oil pressure at 70 psi cold, and stays there (through the warmup) until I really start working the oil, then it drops to 35 psi at idle. This is with 20W-50 VR-1.
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 04:10 PM
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No did not drive the car - just ran until engine was in normal temp operating range then shut it down when I noticed the high pressure (pegged at 80). I will run it like you suggested and see if it drops before replacing the pressure sending unit. Thanks again!
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 04:16 PM
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Oil temperature generally lags behind the coolant temp, so the case may be that your oil hadn't fully warmed.
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