SkagSig40

I have a 1997 2 door Tahoe with a 5.7 V8. Hot idle oil pressure is about 18-20 psi and driving is around 40psi. Is this a normal safe range? The engine has 105,000 miles on it and runs great!

What are your 5.7's oil pressure readings? Thank you!

Muffracing

That's pretty normal. I replaced the engine in my uncle's '96 pickup and he had the same question, but he didn't watch the gauge before when he ran the old engine out of oil.
My trucks have always been that way. Just check your oil every few weeks, or more if you drive alot, And watch for leaking oil lines.

Vortec355

What filter are u using? Only use AC Delco they are the best. If your using a fram tough guard get rid of it. It is only made for 10W-30W and thinner oil.

SkagSig40

I usually use WIX but recentyl did a few quick oil changes to flush out the engine after an intake manafold repair. I'm using cheep Wal-Mart Supertech oil filters for the flush. Supertech are made by Champion Labs and according to www.bobistheoilguy.com they are very good filters for the money, much better then Fram. I'll go back to WIX soon though.

SkagSig40

Was the engine you put back into your Uncles truck a new engine? It's oil pressure is also that low? Why did it need to be replaced? I'm trying to find out how much life these 5.7's have, mine now has 105,000 and seems to be running strong.

Muffracing

It was a used engine with about 100k on it. And the pressure is about 20 psi at idle. You should be good for a long time. I've seen lots of 350s with 150k still running strong and a few that have passed 300k. Just keep up the regular maintenance.

His oil lines were leaking, the intake was leaking a small amount into the engine, and he had the oil changed at Wal-mart and they did not screw the filter on tight. I spun the filter off with my hand. He ran it out of oil.

SkagSig40

I was leaking coolent internally and had the intake fixed. Had the oil analized and it came out ok but did show some coolent and the 1st sign of an intake manafold going bad. So far the coolent has not droped at all in a week.
I hope to get at least 250,000 out of her.

BeefTip

got 140k hard miles here. No engine probs at all, just alternator and tranny.

SkagSig40

What is your oil pressure at hot idle and while driving?

Camaro99SS

iTrader: (4)

A regular smallblock Chevy from what I've seen tends to run a little lower pressure than an LS1. I sold my grandpa's 99 Blazer with 23k on it last year, and during the time I had it and was driving it, it would run around 45psi warm cruise and about 22psi hot idle on 10w30 oil. It would go up to around 50-55psi WOT but no more. Most of these motors have a pressure relief spring in the oil pump that engages around 60psi.

Jason

silverado

iTrader: (1)

I own a 97 small block vortec (383 though) and my oil pressure reads 60psi at startup, 40psi at idle, and 50-60psi at cruise. I use 15w-40 Schaeffer's blend oil, and Baldwin oil filter. If you are worried about pressure go to a 15w-40...especially if you live in a warm climate.

SkagSig40

I'g going to try German Castrol 0w30 which is a very thick 30w-almost 40w oil and has been showing incredible results in almost ever car that uses it. You can read up on it at www.bobistheoilguy.com.

Sence it is pretty thick it should help a bit although it sounds like my oil pressure is normal at those readings from what you guys tell me. Thank you!

silverado

iTrader: (1)

I'm on that board also, and was one of the first to try that oil as well. Great oil, but UOA's showed that it wasn't for me. Good luck, and your oil pressure should go up a little. Let us know what it reads after the change.

SkagSig40

What engine did you run it in? I'll post my UOA on it in another few months.

gtaman

I have a 97' Gmc 5.7 vortec with 124,000 on the dial running 5w30 maxlife im getting 25 psi warm and 50 to 55 psi at 55 mph using a K&N oil filter. But you can't trust a gauge they can be 5 to even 10 psi off from actual just run good oil and check it every time you fill up if it isn't knocking don't worry about it. Just my opinion

Joshua Fancher

[QUOTE=SkagSig40;2873889]Was the engine you put back into your Uncles truck a new engine? It's oil pressure is also that low? Why did it need to be replaced? I'm trying to find out how much life these 5.7's have, mine now has 105,000 and seems to be running strong. I have the same size engine in my Tahoe. I've got 315k so far and haven't had any engine problems at all

Garie Shawyer Sr.

I have a 1997 chevy pickup my motor has 350000 miles on it and still runs like a new pickup i use ac delco oilfilers all the time i change oil

Garie Shawyer Sr.

oil pressure my truck has 350000 miles on it and still runs like a new truck

BIG_MIKE2005

iTrader: (116)

My 97' Z71 had 272k on the clock before it started to have issues. I only run Castrol GTX 10w30 and Purolator filter. That's all I ran in my TA as well. Never had oil issues. I did notice what was mentioned about the older motors running a lower oil pressure than I was use to in my LS engine.

99GMCyukon

I have a 99 GMC Yukon SLT that I've had for over 15 years now. Has 209k and I use Valvoline VR-1 10w-30 with a k&N filter. My oil pressure at full temp and at idle in Drive is approx 22-24psi, at cold start it hits that 58psi mark then at full operating temp in Park at idle its just a hair under the 40psi.