Oil Light
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Tyler, TX
Oil Light
1971 Ford F-100 5.9L 360 2WD
Have had a recent problem develop with my truck. I noticed it today after taking my truck out on the road. It seems that after it runs for a while and gets warmed up, when i slow down and come to a stop, the oil light comes on. It stays on at low speed, but once i get going again, it turns off.
Have had a recent problem develop with my truck. I noticed it today after taking my truck out on the road. It seems that after it runs for a while and gets warmed up, when i slow down and come to a stop, the oil light comes on. It stays on at low speed, but once i get going again, it turns off.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Tyler, TX
Oil was just changed, just had a new oil pan put in. Engine hasn't been rebuilt recently that i know of. I'm hoping what i have can hold out long enough. I'm looking for another engine locally to rebuild and replace this one, but until then this is what i have. What further do i need to be looking for to tell me if its the pump or something else?
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Sidney, BC, Canada
I would buy an aftermarket oil pressure guage and sending switch. Old FE motors are notorious for low oil pressure at idle.
I read somewhere that in the original owners manual there's a note that the oil pressure light might flicker at idle and not to worry about it...
darrell
I read somewhere that in the original owners manual there's a note that the oil pressure light might flicker at idle and not to worry about it...
darrell
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New User
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Tyler, TX
I would buy an aftermarket oil pressure guage and sending switch. Old FE motors are notorious for low oil pressure at idle.
I read somewhere that in the original owners manual there's a note that the oil pressure light might flicker at idle and not to worry about it...
darrell
I read somewhere that in the original owners manual there's a note that the oil pressure light might flicker at idle and not to worry about it...
darrell
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 355
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From: Sidney, BC, Canada
Yeah. My point is that the cost of a oil pressure gauge and sender is a small price to pay for peace of mind knowing exactly how low it is -- then you can make a more informed decision whether to keep driving it or park it...
darrell
darrell
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From: Tyler, TX
good point. I'll check it out tomorrow and see what i get.
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This will be your cam bearings. They are the first thing to recieve oil from the pump,then lifters,main bearings,rods, ETC.. When your cam bearings get worn you loose most of your pressure around them.This is a result in alot of miles.When you get to this point you motor is wore out. Save yourself alot of machine work. Overhaul asap!!
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: New York City
Had the same issue with a '78 302. Once the engine would warm up, the oil light would slowly start blinking at stops until it stayed on (only at stops). While it could be the cam bearings, the truck kept going on. I've changed the oil pump and the blinking persisted...I just ignored it for two years with no issues.
Now that I have a different truck - '72 360, I did notice the same with the gauge...it would dip down below the the norm at stops. I seafoamed the crankcase and oil pressure is steady at normal now. I wouldn't recommending seafoaming an old gunked up engine, because while I was running it for few days (less than 30 miles) with seafoam I developed a small leak around the flywheel. Once I replaced the tarnished oil with new synthetic, leak stopped. Try that if you are confident not to spring a leak, invest into a decent sender/gauge and see if you do need a bearing job eventually.
Now that I have a different truck - '72 360, I did notice the same with the gauge...it would dip down below the the norm at stops. I seafoamed the crankcase and oil pressure is steady at normal now. I wouldn't recommending seafoaming an old gunked up engine, because while I was running it for few days (less than 30 miles) with seafoam I developed a small leak around the flywheel. Once I replaced the tarnished oil with new synthetic, leak stopped. Try that if you are confident not to spring a leak, invest into a decent sender/gauge and see if you do need a bearing job eventually.
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From: Tyler, TX
Oil pump seems to be ok, and the pressure only drops at low rpm, so i guess its just the way this truck is. I'm sure it will need a bearing job...really i need to rebuild the engine, i just don't have the time/money to put into that project right now and since i only drive it about 5 miles a day, i don't have reason...not until it craps out and i have to.
Would putting a heavier weight oil increase the pressure? Is that something i should be doing?
Would putting a heavier weight oil increase the pressure? Is that something i should be doing?
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Joined: Dec 2010
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driving 5 miles a day it prob will last for years. Dad has a chevy z71 with 350,000 miles and the cambearings are shot,( same issues you are haveing ) he drives it about 200 miles a year and its been that way now for 15 yrs, Ive been on him that long to rebuild it.LOL but its still going. If I owned that truck and drove it under normal conditions it would be blown up in a week.