Oil pressure - what's normal?

[gordont]

I seem to get between 28 and 41PSI oil pressure (28 after a good drive), seems low to me but what's the norm?

NB - stock motor with sprint cams.

[1964 S1]

Hello Gordon, this topic came up here a year or two ago, there was an extensive discussion if I remember right, it'd be in the archives. Personally, my S1 runs around 38 psi at higher rpm and drops to around 20 at idle. If I thump on the gauge lightly I can "improve" the pressure by about 5.
Eric

[john.p.clegg]

Gordon
There is no correct answer for this one,some people like to see 60 psi at all times (no benefit),it is reported Colin liked his engines built to wider tolerences to achieve good oil flow,having said that 20 at idle and 40 at revs is good for me...

John

P.S. now the discussion about which oil and instrument accuracy?

[peterako]

Hi Gordon,

28 to 41 sounds fine.

When I got my +2 originally, a previous owner had fitted a 'high pressure/high flow' oil pump and my pressure was always up or over 60 psi......I also had multiple oil leaks....
(Installing high flow/high pressure pumps was the vogue in the 70's/80's as 'more is better' thoughts prevailed...)

Changed to a correct pump (originally the Twink had the 20 - 45 psi pump) and hey prestoi....most of the leaks dissappeared!

I managed to get the engine leak free after that and the car seems all the more happy now.

Once warmed up I get readings between 20 and 45 psi (the 45 at much higher revs ).

BUT....as John says 'guage accuracy is another discussion'

Peter

[Jolly Jumper]

20 at idle and 40 at revs

[Carlos A]

The normal thing, really, is to worry about. The electrical gauge and sender are not accurate. They are affected by age, by the amps from the alternator, by grease and oil on the contacts, and by their own temperamental nature. Mine reads 10 at idle and 35 at revs, after an hour of normal driving. I checked the pressure at idle with two different mechanical gauges. One gave me 15 psi and the other one about 18 psi at idle.

Best

Carlos A

[peterako]

Yep, was speaking to Paul Matty's before buying my +2 and they were of the opinion that the electrical guages were not trustworthy.

Peter