I noticed the oil pressure was low in my rebuilt engine which has 0 miles on it so far. The stock gauge said 30 psi. at idle and the new sunpro gauge says 0psi at idle. When i rev it up the gauge moves slightly up about 10 psi. The engine feels strong and it doesn't feel like it wants to stall or die. There is also oil where the rockers are so I know i'm getting oil. Any ideas?

 

screw a good gauge in the block and see what you have

 

Yeah, a good mechanical guage will tell you better.

If it's still low, maybe a galley plug was left out somewhere or bearing clearences are too wide. Also some new pumps have too much end clearance.... I've seen that before. Hope it's just a bad guage... Otherwise

 

I finally put a new mechanical Sunpro gauge in and i plugged it directly into the block. I started the car and it read 0 psi. at idle and about 20 psi. at 3000.

 

Where are you plugging it? If you have at least full oil on the dipstick, you almost have to have some type of pressure.......

 

I screwed it directly into where the stock pressure sending unit goes.

 

Who did the overhaul?

 

I did the whole engine myself. Everything is new except the crank, rods, and oil pan.

 

Pull a valve cover, be sure your getting oil to the top of the head. Be sure you have full oil, and are you sure the oil pickup was installed at the right height?

 

I am getting oil at the top of the head. Pretty sure i have the pickup in the right place and i have full oil.

 

So you are using mechanical gauges...not electric?

I would lead to believe there is something wrong with the gauges...but you have tried two different ones?

 

I have no idea what could be wrong. The stock electric one said 30 at idle and the new mechanical one says 0 at idle but there is no ticking from the lifters to tell me i'm not getting oil. So i'm gonna buy a new mech. gauge tomorrow just incase the other one has something wrong with it.

 

If you have oil, you have to have some oil pressure....do a total mechanical setup, with a new gauge......and let me know.

 

ok i'll be sure to post tomorrow telling you how it turned out.

 

Sounds good...good luck man!

 

I would still be a little icky about 30 @ idle when it's cold!!!
That mean it'll drop to 5 after the oil gets hot!!!

Ron

 

I'm worried i'm gonna lose my engine. That's why i wanna make sure i have enough pressure.

 

Still sounds like the gauge....just my opinion...

 

I think it's the gauge too.