New Engine, What should Oil Pressure be at?
New Engine, What should Oil Pressure be at? OK, just got the new engine installed finally and am wanting some input on the oil pressure. My old engine gave way due to a faulty Oil Pump so as you can imagine I am trying to be as careful as possible here.
I have the GM High output brand new oil pump installed on the new engine. When we first fired the car up oil pressure held steady at 40psi and went to 60 under throttle. After about 15 miles of driving I noticed that the oil pressure dropped to around 20 and then only move to 40 upon throttle. I checked the oil level, added about half a quart and the issue still was occuring. At idle it only held around 20-30 PSI. Is this normal for this pump? I was under the impression that it should hold steady at 40psi no matter what. I have way too much money tied up in the new engine to have the oil pump cause more problems! Any advice at all will be greatly apreciated! Thanks!
I have the GM High output brand new oil pump installed on the new engine. When we first fired the car up oil pressure held steady at 40psi and went to 60 under throttle. After about 15 miles of driving I noticed that the oil pressure dropped to around 20 and then only move to 40 upon throttle. I checked the oil level, added about half a quart and the issue still was occuring. At idle it only held around 20-30 PSI. Is this normal for this pump? I was under the impression that it should hold steady at 40psi no matter what. I have way too much money tied up in the new engine to have the oil pump cause more problems! Any advice at all will be greatly apreciated! Thanks!
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 1
From: TX
It is a little low for a new engine. The engine in my SS held ~ 40 idle hot w/58k on it, stock original pump.
How bout this apparantly common problem: https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...sure+pump+ring
If the oring is ok, what oil are you running, if it's M1 30 weight, that oil tends to be a little thin. Dropped the pressure on my 89 Formys engine ~ 10 lbs when I tried it in the L98 years ago. Try GC or M1 0w-40.
What filter are you running? If it's a short/restrictive type try a long type. K&N filter has a good rep for flow with good filtration.
How bout this apparantly common problem: https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...sure+pump+ring
If the oring is ok, what oil are you running, if it's M1 30 weight, that oil tends to be a little thin. Dropped the pressure on my 89 Formys engine ~ 10 lbs when I tried it in the L98 years ago. Try GC or M1 0w-40.
What filter are you running? If it's a short/restrictive type try a long type. K&N filter has a good rep for flow with good filtration.
Well seeing as it is a stroker motor, the shop that put the shortblock together for me said to run a 10W-30 oil for the first 500 miles, then go to a thicker oil for 500 more miles, then change to the full synthetic.
The oil filter is just a STP from AutoZone I believe, always ran it, never saw a reason to change, but I may look into it now.
Thanks!
The oil filter is just a STP from AutoZone I believe, always ran it, never saw a reason to change, but I may look into it now.
Thanks!
My new motor does the same thing w10w 30. It is probally beasuse of the following which is what LME told me about my new shortblock..
Loser tolerances, and summer heat here in North Texas. They even suggested to maybe get an oil cooler.
I switched to a 15 40 and it seems to be a little better. As lonh as your pressure goes up with RPM you should be okay.
Loser tolerances, and summer heat here in North Texas. They even suggested to maybe get an oil cooler.
I switched to a 15 40 and it seems to be a little better. As lonh as your pressure goes up with RPM you should be okay.
Hrm, we had VERY good luck in oil pressure differences between the mobil 1 filter and wix, both of those being the best in our tests... one of the worst being fram believe it or not. Tested it on my TA, my old Z28, my 67 firebird, and my dads 68 GTO, all had the same results. If you run a thicker oil, you'll naturally see an increase in oil pressure as it's thicker... I used to run 20-50 in my 67 as I had them grind a little extra clearance in there for high-rpm use at the track.
