Oil Pressure Question

[james singleton]

I have a recently rebuilt 200cid engine that registers between 50-55 p.s.i. @ idle speed when I first start the engine, but drops down to around 30 p.s.I. after the engine is good and warm. Is this normal??? I am guessing that after the oil gets warm the viscosity of the oil changes, or thins out? Am I correct? I am using a 30wt. oil, if that makes any difference. I have only had idiot lights in the past, so I am not sure what is normal operating p.s.i.? What p.s.i. are you guys getting after the engine is warm? Jim S.

 

[powerband]

Actually the @ 50 PSI cold to @ 30 PSI warm is practically textbook normal in my experience.

Powerband 8)

 

[fordconvert]

I would say thats normal to very good. Hope you are not in a cold climate with that straight 30 weight. I have had engines that idled hot at 5psi and ran well for many thousands of miles, none of them died due to oil related problems.

 

[rbohm]

I have a recently rebuilt 200cid engine that registers between 50-55 p.s.i. @ idle speed when I first start the engine, but drops down to around 30 p.s.I. after the engine is good and warm.

8) it doesnt get any better than this.

 

[james singleton]

I live in S.Calif, so normally the temperatures are fairly warm; but we have had cooler weather lately. Thanks guys for putting my mind to rest. It is nice to know that the operating p.s.i. seems to be normal, or even good! Thanks, Jim S.

 

[Titleist16]

mine usually idles at about 40psi when I first start it and drops to about 20psi after it's warmed up. i'm using regular 10w-30

 

[Anonymous]

You should not run a straight 30 weight oil (unless its just for break in)

10W-30 would be ideal.

 

[Anonymous]

i have a 200 and it has 20 psi pressure when hot, when cold it's 60 psi..

here's a video of my car where you can see the oil pressure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj0WYm6zqYs