ok, i recently just built a 350 for my 85 Iroc. But im having some oil pressure trouble. At first i thought the engine heat was cuzing this. i bought a 160 degree thermostat and it helping the temperature levels stay down. but my oil pressure is very low at idle, i dont understand why. it just hovers above the redline on the gauge. when im driving normally its fine, when i floor it, its fine. but at idle its extremely low. does anyone have any ideas why?
TGO Supporter
10 PSI per 1000 rpm is a general rule of thumb. Probably nothing wrong if it's fine at all other times.
Junior Member
is this a high volume oil pump or standard?
High Volume pumps generally run lower pressure at idle when warmed up and come up as soon as you touch the gas pretty much.
Standard Volume pumps (stock) with good fresh engine bearings usually hold 25-30 psi min at idle.
As Stekman said 10 psi per 1000 rpm and your engine should have plenty of oil pressure.
my lg4 with melling high volume pump and fresh bearings pulls about 50-65 psi at idle cold and 15 or so psi at idle on a hot summer day with engine at operating temps.
High Volume pumps generally run lower pressure at idle when warmed up and come up as soon as you touch the gas pretty much.
Standard Volume pumps (stock) with good fresh engine bearings usually hold 25-30 psi min at idle.
As Stekman said 10 psi per 1000 rpm and your engine should have plenty of oil pressure.
my lg4 with melling high volume pump and fresh bearings pulls about 50-65 psi at idle cold and 15 or so psi at idle on a hot summer day with engine at operating temps.