C2 High Oil Pressure

[Ralph E.]

I need help. Under normal driving my oil pressure gauge has always been in the 35-45 range. Suddenly I am now getting readings in excess of 60 psi. At idle it is about 58. With car turned off it's zero. I checked my oil level, is at the full mark. My engine is a 327/300. What is going on??? How do I check my Oil Pressure Gauge?

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

Ralph------

Your oil pressure reading with the engine turned off is correct. No doubt about that. However, your readings at idle and cruise don't sound correct, especially if they've just started to indicate in that range.

There are not too many things that can cause abnormally high gauge readings with respect to failure modes of the engine, itself.

To check your gauge, you will need to install an accurate test gauge on a temporary basis. You can do this by removing the fitting at the block and installing a flexible pressure line with test gauge or, better yet, installing a "T" fitting at the block and connecting BOTH your in-car gauge and test gauge. The, compare the readings. If they vary by very much, you will need to send your gauge out for repair, if possible, or, if not, obtain a new gauge.

[Ralph E.]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

Thanks Joe. What type of gauge should I purchase. Also will there be any harm running the engine.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

Ralph------

No, even if the oil pressure reading is "real", I don't think that you'll do any harm by running the engine for the test, at least.

For a gauge, I'd obtain an accurate test gauge as manufactured by Ashcroft, or others. Get one with a 0-100 PSI range. You should be able to get such a gauge at an industrial supply house like Grainger.

[Ralph E.]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

Thanks again Joe. Tomorrow I'll find a gauge. Any thoughts as to what may have happened.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

if it is a pressure increase the only thing that can do that is the pressure relief valve in the oil pump sticking as that is what determines the oil pressure. i have seen them stick completely closed and blow off the oil filter.

[Ralph E.]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

Any suggestions on what to do. Could I drive the car to my mechanic 10-15 miles.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

i can see no problem doing that.

[Brian Monticello]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

Ralph,
I just wern through this but with abnormally LOW oil pressure. Joe was kind enought to give me the same advice but I wasn't able to get the pressure fitting off on the block due to clearance problems. I found it much easier to simply unscrew the fitting on the back of the gauge and insert a test guage at that point.

I did purchase a gauge from Grainger + a 1/4 NPT hose and coupler. I couldn't find an adapter that allowed me to attach the small oil pressure pipe to the 1/8 male end that I had so I went out and bought a junk mechanical oil pressure gauge that had the piece I was looking for. (I took readings with the cheap gauge and they were off too)

My test gauge looked like this:
100 # gauge with 1/4 NPT --> female to female 1/4 NPT --> male to male hose 1/4 NPT --> 1/4 female to 1/8 male reducer --> 1/8 NPT to tube part from the purchased auto gauge.

Hope this helps.
Brian

[Dan White]

Re: C2 High Oil Pressure

Mine did that exact thing after sitting for almost 20 years. I fired it up and the filter blew off. The relief vavle was stuck shut so bad I couldnt break it loose.