1956 Oil pressure
#1
1956 Oil pressure
Hey guys
I was wonder if what I am seeing for oil pressure is normal on my 1956 88. At start up (engine cold) I am getting close to 40 psi which is the designed pressure output lof the pump. After it warms up it drops to around 10 which is tough to read on my gauge at idle when engine is hot. I dont have any engine knock and oil pressure will jump back up to 25ish when the when throttle is increased.
Thanks Barry
I was wonder if what I am seeing for oil pressure is normal on my 1956 88. At start up (engine cold) I am getting close to 40 psi which is the designed pressure output lof the pump. After it warms up it drops to around 10 which is tough to read on my gauge at idle when engine is hot. I dont have any engine knock and oil pressure will jump back up to 25ish when the when throttle is increased.
Thanks Barry
#2
There is an article on www.secondchancegarage that gives very informative information
on the 1956 Olds 324 engine. They state normal oil pressure at 40 psi.
I know that my '55 held 40 steadily on the highway and never was lower than 25-30 idling . That 10 is not normal. Best of luck, hope you find a simple solution, Larry
on the 1956 Olds 324 engine. They state normal oil pressure at 40 psi.
I know that my '55 held 40 steadily on the highway and never was lower than 25-30 idling . That 10 is not normal. Best of luck, hope you find a simple solution, Larry
#3
I would say that 10 at idle is on the low side but not dangerous as yet. I ran many tired engines with low idle oil pressure and don't remember ever losing a rod. The old rule of thumb on oil pressure has always been 10 pounds for every thousand RPM, doubtful your idle is over a thousand RPM... Just my experience your mileage may vary... Tedd
#5
About the same for my 55 with about 30-35 thousand on my rebuild but I ran a sb Chevy in my Land Cruiser for years (probably 8 years) with it running down to 4-5 pounds at idle when warm, never had a problem. Like I said before YMMV,,,, Tedd
#6
What is the oil viscosity? Don't run 10-30. Run a straight 30 wt oil like Castrol high mileage. Maybe even a multi vis. Did you clean the oil pickup screen when the pan was off?
If all else fails, increase your idle speed which will increase the pump revs.
If all else fails, increase your idle speed which will increase the pump revs.
#7
As mentioned, the oil pressure will be greatly influenced by oil viscosity, engine operating temperature, and engine condition. Lower oil viscosity will produce lower pressure. Higher engine operating temperature will produce lower pressure. An engine with more wear will produce lower pressure than one with less wear. All of these are also somewhat influenced by oil pump capacity and the pressure release valve. My '55 probably has a bit more pressure under the driving conditions you describe, but yours may be O.K. for your circumstances. The easiest ways to increase the pressure is to lower the engine operating temperature and increase the oil viscosity (if your environment's ambient temperatures allow).
#8
Just curious. Do any of you with a 55 -56 324 Olds have a oil pressure gauge and the light for oil pump both hooked up. I only have the light and was wondering what the reading of the gauge would be when the light starts to come on. My light sometimes comes on at low idle. I would like to install a gauge.
Thanks
Rick
Thanks
Rick
#9
The 54 and 55's came with a gauge and no idiot light. You can install a gauge with your light but it is going to be fun since the source of oil pressure for the light and gauge is on top of the oil filter adapter. It is a nasty job on your back under the car.
#12
Thanks - I did the spin on conversion a while ago. I guess I will be looking into the gauge issue. I hate adding the gauge cluster aftermarket look though, I would like oil pressure and amp reading .
Rick
Rick
#14
Although the 54 has an ammeter and temp gauge, I put a voltmeter and temp gauge under the dash on the left side. I have underdash AC and there was no where to put them under the middle of the dash. The ammeter did not seem to be working and I would rather have a voltmeter anyway. The temp gauge does not give the actual temp which I wanted. I also installed an aftermarket 4-way flasher on the left side and a tissue dispenser on the far right. I don't have room for anything else under my dash. The gauges are in separate mounts.
#15
Just curious. Do any of you with a 55 -56 324 Olds have a oil pressure gauge and the light for oil pump both hooked up. I only have the light and was wondering what the reading of the gauge would be when the light starts to come on. My light sometimes comes on at low idle. I would like to install a gauge.
Thanks
Rick
Thanks
Rick
On a variation on this theme, the manual does provide specifications on your engine temperature indicator lights. The green light (indicates a cold engine) goes out when the engine's temperature (at the rear of the cylinder block) reaches 111-115 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale; and the red lamp will light when the temperature reaches 218-222 degrees F.
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January 1st, 2015 10:04 AM