My old truck has a new/used 1990 Ford HO 5.0 (302). We have not hooked up the old guages yet but we did put a guage on it next to the oil filter. When we got it running the guage shows 60 psi at idle. ***uming the guage is correct, isn't this way too much oil pressure? If it is, what do I do to the engine to fix it?
What are your concerns? If your bearing clearances are right, with a high volume pump you can expect "high" oil pressure. That is no problem. I have a racing engine that makes 150 plus at cold idle. When hot, idle pressure is 80.
What weight oil? If it's cold I wouldn't worry about it. Hell my 2007 chevy 5.3 in my pickup carries 60 at idle cold with 5-30. Lippy
I have an off topic Mustang GT that happens to also be a 1990 (so same engine). I have a mechanical oil pressure gauge in it. I run 5/20 oil (anything less and it burns some of it up). It has the fartory oil pump in it. Cold idle is right around 60 psi. Hot idle is around 40psi. I think you are fine.
Thanks, guys. This old 302 surprised me with that much oil pressure. It is a stock pump and 5-30 oil and that pressure was with a cold engine. I'm a happy camper now so I'll get with it and finish the project with no worries about the oil pressure.
Scroll down a little & watch the little clip on oil pump pressure vs. volume. It's a much debated subject. btw,,I've got an M77 for sale in the cl***ifieds. http://www.jegs.com/i/Melling/689/M77/10002/-1
Cold oil fast idle? I have an old well worn small block that makes 60 @ idle when cold and then drops to 15-20 @ idle when warm. My hot rod engine makes 20-30 @ idle and 60-80 on cruise once warm. I have to switch oil to lighter oil in the winter. I have seen 80 @ idle when cold on this engine with summer oil in it in the winter, that's a little much. Too much oil pressure is 115 @ 110 it'll start washing the babbit off the bearings.
Yeah they **** because they make fantastic power in a lightweight package that can be dressed like an early 60's engine. Plus there are several commonly available transmissions to choose from and if they break down you can get parts anyplace, for cheap. Yup, they ****. Better than another belly ****on SBC and a F of a lot cheaper than any other option is you want real power. If you disapprove of the engine, post someplace else. I see things I disagree with all the time but most of the time I keep it to myself.
'93 F150 and the 5.0 has 250,000 miles on it, Dunno what actual pressure is but it still reads above midpoint on the operating range marks on the gauge... Which by the way, i think are horse****, i mean how much tougher would it have been to print numbers?! either way, 60# cold isn't unreasonable. I had no idea high pressure could wash babbitt off though. Learn somethin EVERYTIME i read one of your posts pork! thanks.
when the filter and the oil lands on the ground you have too much pressure and i have had that happen a few times, used to wear the distributor gear on SBC with big oil pressure other than that all else stayed the same and run the steel canister
60 psi is not bad.Hv pump will do this.Make sure it is not the oil filter.High oil pressure zaps power and causes windage within the engine.7-10 psi for every 1000 rpms is plenty for a street engine.Use a zinc or moly additive.
I just have a regular Melling pump in the 331 sbf in my 27 and it idles at 60 when cold and drops to 50 when warm. You are fine with that pressure. The 350 Vortec in my 23 would get up to 70 going down the road. Don
Not really,more oil pressure than necessary just heats the oil,eats power and overloads the pump drive and or cam gear.
I learned it from a friend that is quit a bit older than I am. Older than my big sister and younger then my dad. Anyway I digress, we were talking about oil pressure on the engine I mentioned earlier, it was about 15 degreees out at the time. I was saying that my oil pressure when the engine was cold was up around 100 psi until it got completely warm. He just stood up and walked out to his garage and got tools and a jack and drained my oil. Then stood up handed me a 20 and said, "Take my truck and go buy some lighter oil." I guess I looked confused, he explained it to me as he was told by an engine builder of note. He then showed me some inserts that only made it to the quarter finals on a freshen and @ 118 psi. Scoured to the max. An experiment gone wrong I guess. I try to do a balancing act with my pressure. I normally set my engines up pretty loose and run a high volum pump. Trucked up is correct about high pressure being a parasite as well hard on certain parts. but 60 @ idle when cold is not a problem, it should drop off when warm.
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