I've been restoring a '37 L-37 Touring Sedan with the bone stock original 257 flathead eight.
I do not know the history of the engine's life, but it starts, runs & drives well. The engine is quiet, and does not smoke, clatter or rattle. The odometer shows 98,000 miles.
At 45 mph or so, the car holds near 30 lbs of pressure. It drops a bit at idle when hot, and drops a bit more to about 15 lbs after a highway run at 65 mph or so. It starts fine when hot, after I added an electric fuel pump. When doing town driving, the pressure stays above 25 lbs, even at idle.
Sept2013Enginepainted_zpsa3ea1296.jpg

My question is,
Is this an acceptable level of pressure for a long highway trip?
I've had the pan off, and it is free of sludge.

Thanks, Jerry

 

25 lbs at idle is good for any car modern or antique, I say go for a ride and enjoy it. Sounds like the engine is quite fresh with those numbers. Wish my engine bay was that clean, nice car....Tedd

 

Your oil pressure more than acceptable.

 

Absolutely. Those are great numbers for an engine of that vintage.

Have a great trip!

- Eric

 

Thanks Tedd!
I sprayed the firewall, and brush painted the block with correct engine paints from Bill Hirsh.
Here is where I started 2 years ago.
August2012frontendoff_zps795ce8af.jpg

I don't know which was worse; the 1970's lime green, or the black hot rod primer.
The runymede green repaint is the factory original color.
Jerry

 

My vote is for the lime green, someone must have been color blind, ...Tedd