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What is oil pressure at idle

richardgoesfast

richardgoesfast

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On my 1970 with 383 my oil pressure at low idle is 20 and if I take it up to about 1000 rpm (in neutral not on road) it goes up to 40. Does that sound right? Couldn't find any info on this anywhere, figured you guys would know. Thanks.
 
‘69_Sunfire_RR

‘69_Sunfire_RR

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Same here, my ‘69 383 idles at 20 when warm or about 185-200 degrees. Bring it up to 1000 rpm and it’s at about 40. When cold I get about 70 psi but just at startup. What degree thermostat you all running?
 
richardgoesfast

richardgoesfast

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That really parallels what I'm seeing. Thought it was low because I have a 2015 Mustang which has a much higher pressure at idle. I'm still new to this car, and trying to get it back into running condition after living in someone's garage for a bunch of years. So, don't know what the thermostat temp rating is. I just fire it up and try to get it to idle.
 
‘69_Sunfire_RR

‘69_Sunfire_RR

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I hear you man. For reference my wife’s brand new Tahoe idles at 20 and peaks at about 35-40 when driving (1500-2000) rpm. And that’s normal. Like you I’m used to much higher pressure but with my RR it just seems normal. I researched this a lot when I bought the car and everything I read parallels what we are seeing.
 
moparchris

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The general rule of thumb is 10psi per thousand RPM its at. Oil pressure is measured at the end of the oil passages, so even if you had 1 psi idling hot then you would have enough because you probably have 20 psi at the main and rod bearings. As long as it comes up to 50 or so at shift RPM you are good to go. Most folks worry about oil pressure and want extra oil pressure like a savings account or something. It doesn't really work like that. Extra oil pressure is just straining the pump and causing extra heat in the oil. Oh and by the way coolant temp has very little to do with oil temp.
 
‘69_Sunfire_RR

‘69_Sunfire_RR

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moparchris said:
The general rule of thumb is 10psi per thousand RPM its at. Oil pressure is measured at the end of the oil passages, so even if you had 1 psi idling hot then you would have enough because you probably have 20 psi at the main and rod bearings. As long as it comes up to 50 or so at shift RPM you are good to go. Most folks worry about oil pressure and want extra oil pressure like a savings account or something. It doesn't really work like that. Extra oil pressure is just straining the pump and causing extra heat in the oil. Oh and by the way coolant temp has very little to do with oil temp.
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Thank you for this explanation. It makes great sense to me!
 
mr4speed

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  • 40 is good. I made a bad mistake years ago when I was changing my intake manifold and my wife called in for dinner so I laid a gas station rag on top of the motor. I got back to it a hour later i didn't give it a second thought as I bolted it up didn't realize that i had left the rag under the valley pan. I had to get to my part time job at a gas station while driving I look down at my oil pressure it fell to zero it was about 2miles to the station. After I got there I pulled the valve covers and oil pan and looked up and their was the rag in shreds rapped around and hanging from the bottom of the motor my heart sank. I thought the motor was trashed. My buddy said clean it as best you can I thought no way! So I did just that I cleaned and cleaned ............... finally I was done ran light weight oil thru about three times. Went racing the next weeking it ran like rape ape! those mopar engines are unbelievable. Never had any trouble with the motor after that.:steering:
 
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