Author Topic: Oil Pressure (Read 202 times)

gtscode · « **on:** June, 18, 2011, 03:32:18 PM »

I haven't driven the Mustang much since Knotts due to an potential oil pressure problem. I just took it out for a test drive before I install a temporary mechanical oil gauge.

As a reminder this is a fresh engine with a blue printed melling oil pump which is supposedly high pressure/normal volume. I bought it from an FE supplier http://stores.precisionoilpumps.com/-strse-Ford-FE/Categories.bok. I say supposedly because I think the box said high volume.

When I start the car the oil pressure is about 60 and stays there until I start driving. It then drops to between 20 and 40 while driving and then below 20 but not sure how low as the gauge is a high end stewart warner mini gauge and not a lot of detail.

While driving it drops below 20 but will some times spike up to 40 or near 60. It bounces around quite a bit.

My thoughts are it has to be the gauge or sending unit as the car seems to be running amazing no funny noises and not overheating.

I can't install the temp gauge this weekend so I thought I would throw this out there. Does the problem as described sound like a potential bad pump? That would be very tough!! I have a windage tray with stock pan and the FE oil mods were done to the block.

Sluggo · « **Reply #1 on:** June, 18, 2011, 05:01:59 PM »

So, the gauge in it now is electric? Maybe it's a connection issue.

The mechanical gauge will be more tell tale. I would think you'd see 60 psi cold and around 40 hot on a nice fresh engine. It should be more stable as well. It should rise and fall a bit with rpm predictably.

What oil?

jims6t6 · « **Reply #2 on:** June, 18, 2011, 05:05:04 PM »

Sounds more like a gauge issue to me. As Sluggo said "The mechanical gauge will be more tell tale."

B67FSTB · « **Reply #3 on:** June, 19, 2011, 12:33:30 AM »

My bet is on the oil pressure sending unit or a bad connection at it.

Just swapping it isn't a big task.Takes 5 minutes and then you know for sure.

cmayna · « **Reply #4 on:** June, 19, 2011, 04:55:34 AM »

Yes, odds are it is the sending unit or gauge. Justin you can simply borrow my extra oil pressure gauge and see what happens. If the reading becomes stable, then we know it's the gauge. If not, swap out the sending unit.