C1 Oil Pressure Gauge

[Jim Sloan]

I have a 1960 and I am wondering about the correct operation of the oil pressure gauge. What pressure should it show when it is first started up and what should it read upon having warmed up? Mine goes right to the max (60+) upon starting and stays there. It does not rise or fall when you rev the engine. I have the correct steel oil line (new)and am using the correct cannister oil filter housing and filter. I use 10W-30 oil in winter and 10W-40 in summer and the gauge shows the exact pressure with both any time of the year.I have had the car for 14 years and it has always read this pressure. I have always wondered about this. Is this OK, or is something wrong?

[William C.]

Re: C1 Oil Pressure Gauge

Most likely, someone put the SHP oil pump in the car at one time or another.

[Jim Sloan]

Re: C1 Oil Pressure Gauge

Hi Bill, what is a SHP oil pump? And what would this do to the gauge operation?

[William C.]

Re: C1 Oil Pressure Gauge

The SHP (special high performance) pump was a higher pressure pump used from '64-up in the mechanical lifter engines. It generally will run close to 80 lbs pressure cold, and 45-60 when hot. Depending on your engine speed, one of these pumps will "peg" the gauge on a C-1 under most normal driving.

[Jim Sloan]

Re: C1 Oil Pressure Gauge

Thanks for the explanation Bill. I guess there is no need to change it other than trying to pass a PV? Sounds like a better oil pump than stock.

[William C.]

Re: C1 Oil Pressure Gauge

Only problem can be they tend to flow higher volume also, and if you use a five quart pan they can under extreme circumstances put most of the oil up inot the engine leaving an insufficient quantity in the pan to lube the engine. Not a problem for normal driving, but I did some less than politically correct things involving high rpm and a certain 327 Corvette as a youth.