Fresh build... Low oil pressure? (mechanical vs. factory)
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fresh build... Low oil pressure? (mechanical vs. factory)
I recently fired up an ERL 434ci bullet and noticed the pressure was lower than expected (although acceptable), according to the factory gauge. The previous engine had very high pressure, but I had replaced most all of the sensors when doing the 434 build, including the oil pressure sender.
Well, I hooked up a mechanical gauge to the oil port on the side of the block. I already had a "jumper" hose hooked up to the port to facilitate priming the engine before firing it up, so it was simple enough to toss a temporary gauge into the mix.
The factory gauge (and DIC display) showed 40psi on a cold start. At 200 deg. it dropped to 25psi and held steady at idle, rising with RPM increase. No odd noises, knocks, or rattles... it all sounded/sounds great, IMO.
The mechanical gauge? ....60psi on a cold start and 48psi at 190-200 deg.
Crazy. If it wasn't such a motherbitch to swap oil pressure senders, I would reinstall the old one and see what sort of difference there is. But, for now, I will just make a mental note of the difference and proceed with buttoning things up and working on the tune-up.
I beat myself up over this... thinking I might have pinched the pickup o-ring (even after being very careful), installed a faulty cam retainer plate or a junk oil pump, etc. It was too late, the evening I fired it, to get a mechanical gauge, so I picked one up from the local speed shop the following evening and was pleased with what I saw on the mechanical rig. fughkyeah.
random pics...
Hoping to drive it soon...
Well, I hooked up a mechanical gauge to the oil port on the side of the block. I already had a "jumper" hose hooked up to the port to facilitate priming the engine before firing it up, so it was simple enough to toss a temporary gauge into the mix.
The factory gauge (and DIC display) showed 40psi on a cold start. At 200 deg. it dropped to 25psi and held steady at idle, rising with RPM increase. No odd noises, knocks, or rattles... it all sounded/sounds great, IMO.
The mechanical gauge? ....60psi on a cold start and 48psi at 190-200 deg.
Crazy. If it wasn't such a motherbitch to swap oil pressure senders, I would reinstall the old one and see what sort of difference there is. But, for now, I will just make a mental note of the difference and proceed with buttoning things up and working on the tune-up.
I beat myself up over this... thinking I might have pinched the pickup o-ring (even after being very careful), installed a faulty cam retainer plate or a junk oil pump, etc. It was too late, the evening I fired it, to get a mechanical gauge, so I picked one up from the local speed shop the following evening and was pleased with what I saw on the mechanical rig. fughkyeah.
random pics...
Hoping to drive it soon...
Last edited by RLS!; 05-02-2012 at 07:22 AM.
#3
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (39)
That's good to hear it is the sending unit. After I did my H/C/I/E swap my oil pressure started to drop slowly. Acted just like a spun bearing. Ended up being the stock OPSU was going out. I had never seen one act like that. Needless to say I was relieved.
That car should be a beast man.
That car should be a beast man.
#6
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hook up an autometer mechanical gauge and it has great pressure, as noted.