So today, I took my Firebird for a short drive, about fifteen minutes. I was driving down some residential streets where I came to a dead end, so I went to turn around, and as soon as I put the car into reverse, it shut off. Weird. Note that before this my oil pressure was at 60, where it usually is. I started it up again, and it was idling rough. I didn't notice it before. But then I saw that the oil pressure was down to 30, which was odd. I drove to a gas station, where I found that my intake cover plate was loose. I guess I forgot to tighten it yesterday. So that would explain it shutting off and the bad idle. Checked my oil level, it's fine. Tightened the cover plate and drove back home, however the oil pressure was at zero the whole way back, even though it's running fine now. Any possible explanation for this? Motor is a TBI 350.

 

I had a similar problem... then I installed a new oil pressure gauge and everything was fine. Chances are, if the gauge read zero, and it's still 'running fine', there is a bad connection between your oil pressure sender and your oil pressure gauge, or one of those parts need to be replaced.

 

Well the oil pressure switch is new, as is the motor, so I guess the gauge needs replaced. Is there any way to make sure of this?

 

You can just hook a mechanical oil pressure gauge up to your engine to make sure oil pressure is good, but I suspect that it is, as it wouldn't continue running with zero oil pressure.