How high is too high fo oil pressure?

[JoeJoe44]

Ok. Ive got a 200 thats just been rebuilt by an good engine shop and my oil pressure is crazy high. On the oil pressure gage, if the H = 100 and L = 0 the oil pressure sits between 80 to 90 ALL THE TIME even at idle. I know ive got a ton of oil comming out from the base of my DUI and im not sure if its comming from the dip stick and fuel pump block off plate as well. There is just too much oil to tell. How high should be oil pressure be? And if its too high how can i back it down a notch or two?
Thanx.

 

[Thad]

Anything over 60 psi warm is cause for alarm and that is much even for a racing engine. With all the other problems high pressure will erode bearings and could blow the can off our oil filter.
Check the pressure by pass on your oil pump. Something is not right.

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

first, are you sure your gage is accurate? try attaching a mechanical gage (if yours isn't) to be sure, aftermarket electric gages lie (experience)

you might want to try stepping down to a lighter oil. say youre running 10w40 now, try 5w30 instead, it should knock the pressure down quite a bit, back into a reasonable range

 

[JoeJoe44]

Anything over 60 psi warm is cause for alarm and that is much even for a racing engine

It doesn't have any numbers on the gage. Its just a stock gage with a range for high and low. I only gave those numbers to have everyone an idea and where the needle sits relative the the H and L marks.

you might want to try stepping down to a lighter oil. say youre running 10w40 now, try 5w30 instead, it should knock the pressure down quite a bit, back into a reasonable range

Im running 10w 30


Ill see if i can find some kind of after market gage to give me an actual number.

 

[wallaka]

Oh, jeez. The stock gauge basically says, "oil pressure, yes you have some." Or "Nope, no oil pressure." It's not calibrated in any way, shape or form and is about as useful as an indicator light.

 

[Bradbutlernc]

Oh, jeez. The stock gauge basically says, "oil pressure, yes you have some." Or "Nope, no oil pressure." It's not calibrated in any way, shape or form and is about as useful as an indicator light.

That post made me lol.



On another note, if you check your oil pressure and its fine, the regulator behind the dash or gauge itself could have went bad.

 

[wallaka]

Oh, and the water temp gauge is the same way, so don't take it too seriously.

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

and for your aftermarket gage, go mechanical not electric. by F250 has an electric aftermarket, and if my lights are on it'll randomly add 25psi to the reading just for the hellofit at random, sometimes jumping between the real number and the +25 number.
the mechanical gage in my LTD (same brand, both are sunpro) reads solid no matter what

 

[Ranger_gone_straight]

Agree with whats been said, ignore crappy OEM gauges. None of the old American straight sixes will do as you describe with a real gauge.

However as point trivia, I had an early water cooled VW 4cyl way back when. It would easily peg a 100psi mechanical aftermarket oil pressure gauge. And yep, you didnt want to use cheapo oil filters as I heard it could explode one, though I never had one come apart. Worst I noticed was in very cold weather, if you could get engine to crank, it would force oil out through filter rubber ring gasket. And yes this engine was designed for high oil pressure.

 

[Lazy JW]

....
It doesn't have any numbers on the gage. Its just a stock gage with a range for high and low. I only gave those numbers to have everyone an idea and where the needle sits relative the the H and L marks.....

If the fuel gauge and water temp also indicate on the high side then you IVR is out of calibration.
Joe

 

[80broncoman]

If you do find out you truely are running 80psi @ a warm idle. I'd switch to 5W20.

 

[wallaka]

If you do find out you truely are running 80psi @ a warm idle. I'd switch to 5W20.

I'd take the engine back to whoever built it and tell them to fix it.