Oil Pressure

[69CSF250]

I have a 460 in my 79 that when you start it, it has about 60PSI of oil pressure but once you start driving it drops to 40psi. After driving and its all warmed up at idle its around 20psi. yesterday when I pulled into my drive way and stopped I noticed that with it in gear and stopped it was at 10 or 12 psi put it park the idle was a little faster it went back to 20psi. does this sound normal I will try to take note of the rpms if that will help. What should I expect to see as far a oil pressure goes for a 460?

[Hawkrod]

Oil pressure may be a little low at low idle but not too horrible. A good rule of thumb is 10 pounds for every 1000 rpm when warm but a bottom point of 15-20 pounds is desirable (it lowers the pucker factor!). As long as the lifters aren't ticking you are probably just fine. Hawkrod

[Dragon]

My FE 20 at idle 60 above 2000 and 70 cold. The factory gauge never shows below center when idling so the mechanical one I have above the oil filter mount is were I get my true numbers.

[Skifu]

Just for the sake of comparison,my 300 at cold start does 60psi,when warmed up,it never goes below 50,Ive got a aftermarket gauge set, temp,oil,volts.I recommend it to everyone,instead of the factory lo/hi.

[69CSF250]

Thanks guys I paid a little more attention the other day it stays at 20 after its warm the only time it gets any lowere is when you put it in gear and the rpms drop a little for a second then it goes right back to 20... There are no lifter noises that I can hear so I dont think is actually a problem... thanks again!

[Dragon]

Oh and a tip avoid high volume pumps on FEs and I6s. You use high pressure instead. We already move a massive volume of oil. The 427 sideoiler pump will pull 160 psi on a cold FE as it has no pressure relief. 2 3/8 OD washers in any FE or I6 pump relief housing will make idle pressure go ever 40 ad about 80 to 90 at 3000 rpm.

Chebies are the opposite High volume helps them more.

[Skifu]

Ive heard about the hi volume issue before,They caused oil leaks on my friends 302,Ive noticed that semi syn oil holds pressure better than reg.oil,any truth to this?or is just my imagination?..

[Dragon]

I had more leaks with mobile one. Than with any other oil. I had leaks that I did not have until mobil one went in and they went away by the second oil change after I got the mobil one out.

[Skifu]

So from what your saying,synthetic oil is more prone to leaking than dino oil?,I can see the Hi volume thing,more pressure equals more oil pushing against the gaskets and seals,but just the fact that its synthetic,means more leaks?

[Dragon]

When I asked the Mobile Rep years ago, that my Dad knew, he admitted it that it did not provide the natural solvents that are in regular oils and some seals dried out from this plus the slicker Mobile 1 slid right past the seals and left black oil everywhere.

[Skifu]

so from what your saying,the only benefit is better shear strength on gears,and engine bearings,but its so slippery it defeats seals and gaskets?

[Dragon]

Yes that is it. I don't have that problem with Rotella, Amsoil or this oil from Germany that has Moly in it.