Re: IML: Should I believe the gauge?

[santiam oregon <santiamoregon@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'd be hooking up a mechanical 270 degree gauge that you can trust (as in Stewart Warner) underneath the hood and see what kind of actual idling pressure you have. I have had 60's cars with original engines eventually drop oil pressure at idle after many, many miles.  I tried beefing up the oil pump with high volume kits and high pressure springs, but you can be fairly sure that if you don't have adequate idle pressure, your rod and main bearings are probably shot if not more.   

 
High viscosity single weight oil (40 or 50 wt) will help get you by until you are ready to overhaul it. I like to have a bare minimum of 15 psi at an idle in anything I drive, even if it is really tired.

 

good luck

Jkelly808@xxxxxxx wrote:

Aloha,

I'm trying to decide whether to worry about something or not. For the past couple of months, the oil pressure gauge in my '68 LeBaron drops to nothing after the engine is warm and I stop for a light or at idle.

There's no lifter noise and the Sentry Signal doesn't light up. If I give it some gas, the needle moves back where it's supposed to be.

I haven't been driving the car much recently so I haven't thought about it much -- I checked the archives but nothing seems to address it directly since I'm not picking up any noise even when the gauge drops. I started using Straight 30 weight oil about a year ago -- should I go back to using something heavier?

Thanks for any insight.

Jim Kelly

'68 & '71 LeBarons

Honolulu

---

Get a sneak peak of the all-new AOL.com.

---

Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.