Oil Pressure question

[Gene Fiore]

I just installed an electric type oil pressure guage in my Maverick that has a 250 engine. I was wondering if the pressures I am seeing from the guage are about right or not...I have never had a car with an oil pressure guage. When cruising around 40 to 50 mph ( around 1500 to 2000 rpm ) I have around 60 psi. When idling in gear ( around 700 rpm ) I am getting around 40 psi. Does this seem about right? Thanks.

 

[CoupeBoy]

That sounds a little bit high to me for normal oil pressure. I was told once to figure about 10lbs of pressure for every 1000RPM. I always though the normal operating range was from 10-50lbs. So if you have a fresh engine, high pressure pump, it could happen.

For example, my '86 mazdodge 2.6L mitsubishi motor idles at 60lbs on a mechanical gauge. The first time I stepped on the gas it pegged the needle at 100lbs. I thought for sure the gauge was broken so I replaced it. The new one did the same thing. The engine was rebuilt about 4k miles before I bought the pickup, and all of the 2.6L mitsu's that I have owned have lost oil pressure and pounded the rods and mains around the bearing caps. So I assume that the previous owner had the same issue and rebuilt it with a high volume/high pressure pump. Alternatively I could have had 2 bad oil pressure gauges.

-ron

 

[hotrodbob]

Are you talking about cold oil presure or after you have been driving for a while?

Cold pressures will be higher then warm. Also, if you are using a high viscosity oil your pressure will be higher.

On our fresh 200 we pull 40psi at idle cold and 25-30psi warm and 60psi at 2000 rpm with 30wt. I'm running a Melling oil pump.

After I have about 1000 miles on the motor I will change to 5-50 or 20-50 wt synthetic and I think the pressure will go down about 5-10psi.

 

[Lazy JW]

Are you talking about cold oil presure or after you have been driving for a while?

Cold pressures will be higher then warm. Also, if you are using a high viscosity oil your pressure will be higher.

On our fresh 200 we pull 40psi at idle cold and 25-30psi warm and 60psi at 2000 rpm with 30wt. I'm running a Melling oil pump.

After I have about 1000 miles on the motor I will change to 5-50 or 20-50 wt synthetic and I think the pressure will go down about 5-10psi.

A fresh 200 will be very happy running 10-30 synthetic. Why the heavy stuff?
Joe