Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dean'smeanmachine · 04-14-2015, 10:18 AM

Hi all. i have a 72 Chevy truck with a 350 and the sm465 Trans. i have had this truck for going on 2 years. and am still in the process of a frame off resto.
the truck is now back together. well anyway i just changed out the old oil with some good 10w30 and a new Napa Gold filter. when its first start and cold the oil gauge reads a little above the half mark. then when i drive it a bit and it gets to operating temperature the needle drops between the half mark line and the other line before it at idle. when i touch the gas it goes right back up to the half mark and during accelerating and driving it all looks normal. its just the idle oil pressure that im concerned about.i did not have this problem with the old oil. the engine shows 63,000 more like 163,000 miles. i did not rebuild the engine during the rebuild because it runs perfect. is this normal or are my bearings going? or should i up the oil to 10-40 or 20-40? i really would like to be driving the truck this summer. An engine rebuild would be a big setback for me . Thanks for Any info in Advance..
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PanelDeland · 04-14-2015, 11:12 AM

Smallblocks don't require a lot of oil pressure at idle. Sounds pretty normal to me.

67 chevelle · 04-14-2015, 11:23 AM

thats normal

Dean'smeanmachine · 04-14-2015, 11:39 AM

Thanks Guys!

**LockDoc** · 04-14-2015, 11:40 AM

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I agree with the other guys, that's not bad for the mileage it has on it.. I run 10W-40 in mine. The '68 327/400 seemed a little low on power even after a tuneup so i put a quart of Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer in it. I noticed a difference in power and it boosted the oil pressure a little.....

LockDoc

Dean'smeanmachine · 04-14-2015, 12:00 PM

Ill have to try that stuff out, thanks!

sduckworth13 · 04-14-2015, 03:24 PM

Dean, my new rebuild 350 is running around 20 psi at normal operating temp. It is about 60 psi when I first start it.

cleszkie · 04-14-2015, 04:53 PM

I recommend getting a mechanical oil pressure gauge in addition to the stock gauge so you can tell exactly what the pressure is. Typically 10 psi for every 1000 rpm is considered the minium safe running pressure on a SBC.

Dean'smeanmachine · 04-14-2015, 09:42 PM

good info , thanks

04-14-2015, 10:18 AM	#1
Dean'smeanmachine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Mount Morris,NY Posts: 788	Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? Hi all. i have a 72 Chevy truck with a 350 and the sm465 Trans. i have had this truck for going on 2 years. and am still in the process of a frame off resto. the truck is now back together. well anyway i just changed out the old oil with some good 10w30 and a new Napa Gold filter. when its first start and cold the oil gauge reads a little above the half mark. then when i drive it a bit and it gets to operating temperature the needle drops between the half mark line and the other line before it at idle. when i touch the gas it goes right back up to the half mark and during accelerating and driving it all looks normal. its just the idle oil pressure that im concerned about.i did not have this problem with the old oil. the engine shows 63,000 more like 163,000 miles. i did not rebuild the engine during the rebuild because it runs perfect. is this normal or are my bearings going? or should i up the oil to 10-40 or 20-40? i really would like to be driving the truck this summer. An engine rebuild would be a big setback for me . Thanks for Any info in Advance.. __________________ __________________ Dean 1972 Custom Camper c/20 5.3 LS swap in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610187 in God we Trust

04-14-2015, 11:12 AM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? Smallblocks don't require a lot of oil pressure at idle. Sounds pretty normal to me. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

04-14-2015, 11:23 AM	#3
67 chevelle Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA Posts: 1,174	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? thats normal __________________ 68 Long Fleet , ly6 , turbo 350 , 3-5 drop , original paint , front discs 67 Small window , 7 foot bed , tweaked 6.0 LSX 2004R Medium Olive 58 Apache fleet , 235 , offy intake , dual exhaust , 4 on the floor , red/white 69 Long Fleet , Custom , 6.0, 4l60 , AC , Medium Olive

04-14-2015, 11:39 AM	#4
Dean'smeanmachine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Mount Morris,NY Posts: 788	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? Thanks Guys! __________________ Dean 1972 Custom Camper c/20 5.3 LS swap in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610187 in God we Trust

04-14-2015, 11:40 AM	#5
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,334	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? - I agree with the other guys, that's not bad for the mileage it has on it.. I run 10W-40 in mine. The '68 327/400 seemed a little low on power even after a tuneup so i put a quart of Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer in it. I noticed a difference in power and it boosted the oil pressure a little..... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

04-14-2015, 12:00 PM	#6
Dean'smeanmachine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Mount Morris,NY Posts: 788	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? Ill have to try that stuff out, thanks! __________________ Dean 1972 Custom Camper c/20 5.3 LS swap in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610187 in God we Trust

04-14-2015, 03:24 PM	#7
sduckworth13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 3,541	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? Dean, my new rebuild 350 is running around 20 psi at normal operating temp. It is about 60 psi when I first start it. __________________ Scott

04-14-2015, 04:53 PM	#8
cleszkie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 2,191	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? I recommend getting a mechanical oil pressure gauge in addition to the stock gauge so you can tell exactly what the pressure is. Typically 10 psi for every 1000 rpm is considered the minium safe running pressure on a SBC.

04-14-2015, 09:42 PM	#9
Dean'smeanmachine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Mount Morris,NY Posts: 788	Re: Is my Oil pressure low? or is this normal? good info , thanks __________________ Dean 1972 Custom Camper c/20 5.3 LS swap in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610187 in God we Trust



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