robertpel9

Hi,
I have an 84 (L-83 Engine). Upon starup my oil PSI is around 60-64 psi for the firt 5 minutes or so. After this peiod of time it is pretty much a constant 53 psi. I once read an article that talked about making sure the psi was at least 35 psi when looking into buying a C4. Am i on the high side. I can recall once seeing 70 psi on startup. So i guess i am asking 1)Is this unusual, 2) is it too high, 3)what are the implicatons if it is too high. All responses are greatly appreciated.

robertpel9

ttt

Pete Clough

Sound normal to me. I have a L98 oil presure when cold is 80 I think that is as high as the gage goes. When warm 60 to 65.

PC

85 Dave

My 85 is usually about 50-60 on start up, then drops to 35-45 after warm up. On a hot day, the idle pressure can go as low as 20 psi. Disadvantage of too much pressure? Wasted horsepower and lower fuel mileage.

robertpel9

What causes this high pressure. I'd like to eliminate it if it is actually a problem.

Thanks,
Bob :confused:

85 Dave

It doesn't sound excessively high. I wouldn't worry about it.

MinnesotaRagtop

well, its a sign your motor is healthy, actually, by my understanding. It means its not leaking oil by the rings and that the motors not sloppy with blowby. My guess is that if you did compression tests you would find that its running strong compression too...

High oil pressure is not a bad thing, there will come a time down the road when you will wish it was back there, as it will be about the time you have to rebuild your motor...

Rich B.

Much the same here. 58psi warm @ 55; 35 psi warm idle...I run 10w30 oil; I'd guess if you run 5w30 it would be lower when warm...

Nathan Plemons

You're fine. The reason your oil pressure is so high when cold is simply because your oil is cold and thick. My pressure went up across the board when I went from 5w30 to 10w30. When I start it up cold it's almost at 80, idles around 60. After it's warmed up it bounces with the lope of the cam around 35 or so at idle.

Like others have said, it's not really a bad thing, I wouldn't worry about it. You might try changing to a thinner oil and possibly synthetic if you don't use it already. However be warned, switching to synth can quite possibly make a motor that never leaked a drop start leaking like crazy.

robertpel9

Sounds good. Thanks for the input, i'll stop worrying about it now. I drove her for 3 hours straight today and no oil issues so i guess it no bi ggie. Thanks again.
Bob