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Drivetrain => The Nailhead => Topic started by: bbbbuick on December 26, 2014, 01:37:36 PM

Title: Oil pressure problem
Post by: bbbbuick on December 26, 2014, 01:37:36 PM
Hi all,

Had my oil idiot light come on yesterday, then go off after I stopped and checked the oil level (quart low and none in the trunk, arrgh!). Drove another couple miles toward oil at low speed, back on it came. Topped the oil up, started up and light still on so shut it down. No odd noises the whole time. Waited a few minutes and tried again, off and stayed that way til I was three blocks from home.

Aside from the fact I need gauges, any first thoughts on where to start looking? Sender failure? Pump? I have been hearing the valves on start up for a few seconds, flow problem? Rebuilt around 25K miles ago. Any help here would be much appreciated. 
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: dsags on December 26, 2014, 02:57:21 PM
Bobby,

Depending on who rebuilt the engine it could just be that it was 'built like a Chevy'. That is, bearing tolerances are off by a significant amount. That will give lower oil pressure at idle when it gets warmed up. My recollection is that the idiot light gets triggered at about 10 lbs.

I agree with your comment about needing gauges. You first might want to try an inexpensive mechanical oil pressure gauge just to see what actual oil pressure is. O"Reilly sells an Equus gauge #6244, with wide spacing between the numerals so its easier to read, for about $18. It can be used in just the engine compartment to check actual pressure.

You might want to do an oil change and run straight 40 weight oil. O'Reilly sells that too. That should help on the pressure. If not ....

Of course, it could be something else.

Hope this helps     Dan
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: bbbbuick on December 26, 2014, 05:11:23 PM
Thanks Dan,

This is the first time it's happened, but you could be right. The engine and machine shop that did the work for the previous owner is no longer in business so I can't ask questions. What should I be looking for at idle? 10lbs. seems dangerously low.

Elvin
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: dsags on December 26, 2014, 06:38:21 PM
I'm no mechanic but at idle, even warmed up, I would expect 20 pounds or more. When cold 35 pounds or more.

If you have been driving with this engine for several thousand miles and it just started doing this then it is probably something else.

I would check to see what the oil pressure is. The mechanical gauge has a fitting that screws into the same hole as the sending unit behind the passenger side head. Then a plastic line just goes to the gauge. Line is a couple of feet long. No sending unit.

Seen that white GS yet ?

Dan
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: bbbbuick on January 05, 2015, 03:57:13 PM
Put a gauge on it, consistent 30-32lbs at idle, 36-38 above 1500rpm. Replaced the sender and viola, light gone. Love it when the fix is that cheap and easy. Changed the oil to Valvoline Racing 30w too, gave me maybe a couple more lbs at idle.
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: dsags on January 05, 2015, 04:55:58 PM
Bobby, that's great news. Glad the fix was so cheap and easy.

Dan
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: bbbbuick on April 08, 2015, 07:12:12 PM
Anyone know what gauge trio would mimic that original 60's look? I don't think they were options from the factory, but maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong on that.
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: WkillGS on April 08, 2015, 07:41:59 PM
Anyone know what gauge trio would mimic that original 60's look? I don't think they were options from the factory, but maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong on that.


Good question! Depending on your budget, you could get a set of 'Sunpro' basic gauges for as low as $12 (on sale at Summit), or spend over $300 for a trio of the 'Green line Stewart Warner gauges:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sun-cp8090/overview/ (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sun-cp8090/overview/)
http://www.summitracing.com/search/product-line/stewart-warner-performance-custom-deluxe-green-line-analog-gauges (http://www.summitracing.com/search/product-line/stewart-warner-performance-custom-deluxe-green-line-analog-gauges)

'In between' could include your plain-face gauges from Stewart-Warner, Autometer/Autogauge, or even Summit branded gauges.

I've taken a liking to the larger 2-5/8" gauges, just an oil pressure and a water temp to keep it clean and simple.

Oh yeah, almost forgot....someone on V8Buick made up a beautiful in-dash gauge panel with a 3D printer than looks like it could have come from Buick!
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: WkillGS on April 08, 2015, 08:43:52 PM
Anyone know what gauge trio would mimic that original 60's look? I don't think they were options from the factory, but maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong on that.


Oh yeah, almost forgot....someone on V8Buick made up a beautiful in-dash gauge panel with a 3D printer than looks like it could have come from Buick!


The custom 'printed' gauge panel:
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?294042-64-tachometer-and-gauge-panel&highlight=3d+printed+65 (http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?294042-64-tachometer-and-gauge-panel&highlight=3d+printed+65)
Title: Re: Oil pressure problem
Post by: sjfd04 on April 08, 2015, 10:35:23 PM
I used these gauges: