Got the oil plug broke loose tonight and changed the oil in the 54. Pulled the valve/rocker arm cover off and started up the 223. I have the gauges unhooked at this time so how do I know if I have enough oil pressure? The push rods all had fresh oil coating them, when I revved it up a little, I saw a few drops of oil must have been thrown up on the firewall. Guess I expected to see more oil flowing somewhere, like on the springs, etc. but I've never done this part before so hopefully this is normal. Maybe it does once the motor runs at higher speeds? I don't have the radiator yet, so I'm only starting it for short periods. (Sometimes just to hear it run some more) I know, I'm hooked.

 

really it's going to depend on the amount of wear and tear the old girl has . my flatty carries like 20 lbs at idle and had me totally concerned , but found out it was within the norm . it'll carry a whole lot more running down the road , and at first start up will darn near peg the manual gauge ............. my work truck . a 2006 ih , will carry crap loads of pressure at first fire up , over 100 lbs { dt 466 deisel } like 40 lbs warm , and 60 at speed . so it can vary wildly on age , motor , idle , first fire up , and so on .......... if it's not banging , and clanging , and seems fine just let her be !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

At idle, if the oil passages are clean and open, you will not see a lot of oil around the rockers, but enough to keep things lubed. Even at 2000 rpm and up, it will not be flooded in that area, but you will see oil coming out around the rocker arms and splashing around the valve springs and pushrods.

From the info I have on the 223, Ford gives quite a wide range for oil pressure - 35 to 65 psi at 2000 rpm when fully warmed up. You can do what I do sometimes on engines that I do not have all of the "official" gauges and sensors hooked up on - remove the sending unit and screw in a 0 - 100 psi general purpose pressure gauge.

 

Good idea, I might get one just to safisfy my curiousity.