I've just noticed in my gauges that when the car is @ an idle, the oil pressure gauge sits just above 0 in the red area, but as soon as the rpms start to increase to around 2500, the oil pressure goes back up to around 30. is this unusual for the oil pressure to change that much? if so what could be wrong?

 

Its not unusual to see flucuations in oil pressure as the RPMs change. Yours seems low however. Sometimes your dash gauge may not be accurate though, so don't rely 100% on it.

 

i just went and checked the oil and it's sitting @ the full mark on the dipstick. also on my way home today, i noticed that when it idled, the oil pressure wasn't as far down as it was earlier, but still below the 30 mark, so i'm not sure what could be happening. just out of curiousity, what should the oil pressure be @, the top @ 60 or middle range like mine? just not to sure

 

The oil pressure on my car usually is at 40 when driving and lower at a stop or idle. When I start my car for the first time everyday though, it runs at about 50 until the engine warms up. Keep in mind that my oil pressure used to read higher four years ago than it does now. I used to have leaks from the rear intake manifold and valve cover gaskets a year ago, but I had that fixed. My oil pressure is still lower than it used to be. The oil pressure on my brother's '86 always runs high because he has a new engine with new seals and gaskets. Over time, this seems like a common problem for all of us. Be sure the oil pressure sending unit is okay, too, just for good measure.