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Thread: Oil Pressure Help

  1. #1

    Oil Pressure Help

    Have a 51 Roadmaster, 320.2 cid, Dynaflow Patrol car which belongs to a Police Dept. as a D.A.R.E. vehicle. I changed the oil to HD40 with some STP, put on a 7 # Radiatore cap so Temps are now normal or below. Cold temp, hi pressue. However, the closer to normal temp the lower the oil pressure. Been told it's cam bearings or oil pump or both. When engine is at speed, 30+ mph, barely have pressure reading and at idle none. However, engine is quiet, with no knocking, pinging etc. Appreciate any and all advice. Thanks.

  2. #2
    I think the suggestions are on the right track. It may be wise to schedule a tear down and rebuild before you get knocking or...?


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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    I'd hook up an auxilliary oil pressure gauge to the main galley on the right side of the block and see where your pressure really is (are you using the stock gauge or an aftermarket one?)...is the engine recently rebuilt or does it have a few miles on it?
    1953 Special Riviera 45R
    1965 Skylark Hardtop 300-4V
    1965 Mustang (in the family since 1968)
    1965 Corvair Monza Convertible
    1965 Dodge Dart 170 Wagon
    1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

  4. #4

    Oil Pressure

    Thanks for the help. I am relying on the stock in dash pressure gauge. I do not have the slightest idea when the last, if ever, overhaul was. When I joined the force the car was in trouble. I got it running and now am the official caretaker of it. Our maintenance department will be doing what ever is necessary to keep this valuable piece of Americana on the road. Of course I will be over seeing the process.

  5. #5

    Oil Pressure

    Had Maintenance install a direct reading oil pressure gauge. Amazingly the dash gauge was pretty much right on. The new gauge reads 27 pounds cold at speed and 20 pounds at speed hot. Idle cold still 27 pounds but hot it reads 7 pounds. What is the normal range???????? We changed oil to HD 50 racing oil with a quart of Lucas oil stabilizer. We plan to overhaul in summer of 2010.

  6. #6
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    Actually, the 7 pounds hot wouldn't be that bad if you weren't running 50W oil! The only specs you'll find is 35 lbs. at 35 MPH. Generally, that's halfway to 2/3 way up the normal band of the gauge. Mine's rebuilt, and after 45 minutes on the highway on a 70-80 degree day, it'll idle just below the normal band. Then, at highway speed, it'll be at the top of the normal band...this is with 10W-30 or 15W-40 oil, makes no difference. I'd say 8-10 lbs. is normal hot idle after some highway driving. Looks like you're a bit low. Should be fine until you rebuild it though. One thing to check: if it has been rebuilt, rebuild kits come with a gasket for the oil pump plate to the oil pump body. Don't use it! It'll drop your oil pressure 5-10 lbs. at speed easily. Ask me how I know! It might be worth pulling the pan to see if someone used it in yours!
    1953 Special Riviera 45R
    1965 Skylark Hardtop 300-4V
    1965 Mustang (in the family since 1968)
    1965 Corvair Monza Convertible
    1965 Dodge Dart 170 Wagon
    1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

  7. #7
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    Oh yeah, when you do rebuild, a great place to get engine parts for straight 8s is Egge machine in California...I've heard good things about Terrill Machine in Texas. Kanter's usually good but a bit more expensive. Good luck!
    1953 Special Riviera 45R
    1965 Skylark Hardtop 300-4V
    1965 Mustang (in the family since 1968)
    1965 Corvair Monza Convertible
    1965 Dodge Dart 170 Wagon
    1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

  8. #8
    Yea, the pressure in my '50 Special reads just like Aarons, only a little lower on the dial at idle. I don't know the numbers. I can vouch for TERRILL MACHINE INC (254) 893-2610, I bought new pistons, bearings and seals for around $500. You'll need to find a machine shop that can handle the longer crank though.

  9. #9

    oil pressure

    I really appreciate all this help. Just one more question. Was it a good decision to go to HD50 oil???? We did this because of the temperature extremes here, outside Phoenix. Prior to changing to 50 the oil pressure gauge would go to 0 when hot, at idle, in drive. I'm trying to preserve the ol' girl til summer next year. We have also decided that with any shows outside AJ we will trailer.

  10. #10
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    You know...I might, in this case, start with the easiest thing...Check the oil pump and make sure the screen is clean and the bypass isn't stuck open. You're only out the price of an oil pan gasket then, and it may be a problem! 50W is pretty heavy oil...I wouldn't want to cold start that thing much below 50 degrees!
    1953 Special Riviera 45R
    1965 Skylark Hardtop 300-4V
    1965 Mustang (in the family since 1968)
    1965 Corvair Monza Convertible
    1965 Dodge Dart 170 Wagon
    1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

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