need help what does the oil pressure needs to be at on a mechanical gauge for a 1994 f-150 v8 302 2wd, was reading 7 psi but gave it an oil change and filter and a new oil sending unit and hasn't drop from10 psi is that normal when its idling when its all warmed up thank you

 

i dont know for sure cause my guage just says normal but 10 psi sounds real low raise the rpm to 1000 and then 2000 rpm and report the psi

 

Seems really low... Sure your gauge is right? Does it run quiet/smooth?

I've got a 73' 460 that runs at about 45 PSI when I'm on the gas, and about 28-32 PSI at 650 RPM idle.

 

i droved it with the gauge and it read 20psi while going 60mph then got home put the sending unit back on and reads normal ??

 

Is it possible that you're using the wrong weight oil? Maybe you're running a lighter oil?

 

im using 10w30 before all this the gauge was reading low on the red line and it bounced around when it was idling and when i would drove it, it would go up to the middle , so i replaced the unit and gave it and oil change because the previous owner did not changed it with in a year. now with the new unit and oil change its reading normal runs with no problems no noise everything works fine its just with the mechanical gauge that read 10 psi at idling. the engine has 121000 miles

 

I also read the ford f150 87-96 in those years is know to run low oil pressure for normal not sure if its true

 

It is a 302 run it until it dies. If you ever have tore down a few of these 302s it is amazing they run at all. I have seen stuff from the factory that was unreal in these years. As long as it reads in the NORMAL RANGE Ford says it is OK. I wouldn't worry about it. If it isn't knocking your fine. I had a 88 T-Bird with almost 200,000 miles 302 & it had a piston slap that when you started it you thought the pistons were swapping holes. It is still running & I sold it in the late 90s. I see it around every so often.
What I do on these older motors is run 10-40 & a half a quart of Lucas Oil treatment. But when you put it in leave your oil a half quart low, start it get it to operating temp warm the Lucas to room temp & pour it in then drive it for a half hour. WHY? that way it gets mixed with the oil & once mixed it won't separate. If you just dump it in it a cold stopped motor it just goes to the bottom of the pan & over time it mixes most of it but not all.
Craig

 

Good rule of thumb: 10 psi for every 1000 rpm. (warm operating temperature of course)

 

I actually had a similar problem with a completely abused 92, 302. I installed an oil cooler line in front of radiayor and brought the 7psi up to 20 psi at idle.

 

cool thanks for all the help, just ran the truck one last time every thing works fine no niose of any sort and the oil gauge stays at normal were the "m" is at, so i feel much better now i can start on putting on true dual exhaust. again thanks for all the help.

 

Sounds good! Good luck with the exhaust! Going straight pipes, cat-back, or glass packs?

 

thanks, dual cats and dual extreme cherry bombs unfortunately i need the catz for emission