When my truck is cold it will run at 60 psi but after it's warmed up it will run about 50 psi, that is driving. Now when it's warm at idle it will drop to about 30psi. I have a mechanical gauge in it. Honestly I was thinking it used to be near 40 at idle when hot. It runs quiet and everything but it just concerns me a little. Is this all in the normal range?

 

i know that my 302 runs about 40lbs when at idle that is after i put a different gauge in it i had to bleed the line going into it since the guy before me didnt do it

 

Mine runs about 50psi cold. Drops to around 20 at idle. I've been told 10psi for every 1000rpm is a good rule of thumb, especially on an older high mileage motor. While I'm riding it sits right on 40psi.

 

30 psi at idle is very good oil pressure. Vehicles with factory "oil" lights don't come on until 5psi or below.

 

Maybe I'm fine then. I noticed that while in park it will idle a tad over 40 but will drop to 30 while in gear idling. I think in park it idles about 850 and in gear is about 650. I just thought it was strange since the pressure will change so much. I think my max pressure at like 4k was about 65psi. Seemed like a wide range from 30 up to 65 psi

 

Sounds like your 302 has a lot of life left in it. I wish I had a real oil pressure gauge in mine. It's probably next on my list. I just like to be able to 'see' what's going on with my engine.

But, yes, 30psi fully warmed IN GEAR at a stop is great pressure. Curious, what kind of psi are you pushing at 4k or 5k RPM? Also, what brand and weight of oil have you been using?