sounds bada$$. open headers right now. however, the gauge says that my oil pressure is past 60. maybe i put in the wrong sending unit (the one above the oil filter) please let me know, i want to drive her. thanks

p.s. 1988 trans am. used to be a tbi 5.0, now a carb 350. hei distributor. thanks again, could not have done this without you

 

the gauge goes right up even when put into the acc position without the car started. is it a bad gauge, wiring, or really high oil pressure

 

The wire is disconnected.

 

nope, i checked that. then i disconnected it and it acted the same way. the only thing i can think is if the wire is cut (i didnt cut any wires) or that the sensor by the oil filter isnt the right one. im stumped

 

well if its acting the same way when its connected as disconnected that would lead one to believe its either cut somewhere or just grounded out

 

you are better off installing a external mechanical oil pressure gauge anyway.

They are easy to install. I just don't trust the stock gm gauges.

 

the sender for the dash gauge is mounted on the back of the engine right next to the dist. the switch your talking about is the low oil pressure fuel pump cut off switch.

 

well if thats the case, could i drive it anyway because if the oil pressure was low, it wouldnt run?

 

how much would it go for, what about water temp? where did u mount yours

 

the engine WILL run with little or no oil pressure (FOR A WHILE) or until it locks up or throws a rod, I would not drive or run the motor until you get a reliable oil pressure gauge.

 

I just finished my 355 build up and I have a mechanical oil pressure guage, so I know its accurate. I installed a stock replacement melling pump and Castrol l0w30 motor oil. When the engine is cold, oil pressure reads 60lbs and if I rev it it goes up to 80-85. When cold oil pressure is about 40-50 and when revved goes to about 60-75. Now this means one of two things. Either both our motors are messed up or we're both ok. Sorry for the non definate answer but at least I can relate! Good luck.

 

A new motor should be broken in on staight 30 weight oil. There is no need at all to run 10-30 or 5-30 at break in. Castrol SAE 30 should do the trick just fine

The reason you are experiencing 80+ psi when the motor is cold is from the 10-30 oil. When the 10-30 warms up you should have pressure in the 60-70 range under load, this is normal with a high output pump.

 

cr125r -

GOOD gauges are around $50 bucks or so, like the summit oil/water/volt etc...

The water gauge is easier then the oil, its just a metal end that I screwed in one of the sensor openings (by the 6 and 8 chambers) and bam. Getting the plug out was a bit rough though, but a breaker bar is MAGIC!

And the oil pressure gauge is simple, get the brass fittings (they usually come with the gauge) and plug it wherever you have a slot open in the back of your intake. Its possible to run both stock n extrenal oil press gauge as well.


Oh they under the dash closest to the where the hood latch is, soon to be moved to right upfront the heater controls once I move my butt n cut some sheet metal n form some gauge holders

Cheers.

 

make that 3 of us, my 83 camaro awith a 355 has ran at 60 or higher for a few months now, never a problem, strong running engine, hauls ****, and gets good gas milage.

 

Wow

i'm glad to see everyone (almost) here on this post sports the 355 sbc.

I do too! Hail 355, however I have about 52 psi but my oil pump has never been changed and it came out of an old vette.

 

My oil pressure was a constant 40psi with a manual gauge on my stroker whether it was just spinning, or running. I kinda really doubted it was anything mechanical because it was a new build, so I called the engine builder, he said that the oil filter he used for me to break it in with was a Kendall and that they've had 3 this year cause low oil pressure. He gave me a Wix Race filter and my oil pressure goes to 60psi just revving it part throttle. The oil pump is a Mellings High volume and he had cut the spring to keep it from building up too much pressure, but that wasn't the problem. I moved all of the oil sending/switch sensors to the gas vapor purge canister area.

 

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I run a 385. Cant beat the torque and exta hp that the extra cubes and cylinder pressure of stroker moter will add to the bottom line.

 

I always thought high oil pressure was always a good thing....

 

My 305, yeah I know, has pressure over the 60 mark for a while until it's hot, then stays around the 40-50 mark. Whenever I push on the gas it always jumps back to the 60 mark. I always thought as well that high pressure is good and low is bad. Right?