Oil Pressure ?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 38
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From: Cincinnati USA
Oil Pressure ?
1985 Bronco. 351w 4bbl H.O when i start the vehicle it has very high pressure
but as it warms the gauge drops below the halfway point. But when i am
tooling down the road pressure is just above halfway. On really cold days it
wasn't as bad. Think the sending unit is old this vehicle has 176k on it, but
the engine has 90k on a rebuild. Or is this a sign of more serious things as
say worn bearings?
Thanks In Advance,
Tim
but as it warms the gauge drops below the halfway point. But when i am
tooling down the road pressure is just above halfway. On really cold days it
wasn't as bad. Think the sending unit is old this vehicle has 176k on it, but
the engine has 90k on a rebuild. Or is this a sign of more serious things as
say worn bearings?
Thanks In Advance,
Tim
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 497
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From: END OF THE OREGON TRAIL
Sounds typical of most Fords . Does the oil pressure drop even lower when hot and say stopped sitting in traffic. I ran some motorflush through my 91 E350 van with 5.8 and it helped a lot no more oil pressure drop at idle.
A good rule for oil pressure is 10 lbs pressure per 1000 rpm when hot.
Electric oil pressure gauges can vary a lot in their readings as well.
Go Easy
A good rule for oil pressure is 10 lbs pressure per 1000 rpm when hot.
Electric oil pressure gauges can vary a lot in their readings as well.
Go Easy
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: END OF THE OREGON TRAIL
I used a product called Sea Foam, my brother in law work's at NAPA but I think most auto parts could help you out. I added the whole can to crankcase and ran van for about two hours then changed oil and filter. This was first time I have used any motor flush never beleived it was a good idea. I've seen posts saying 5.8 is prone to clogged oil pump pickup screen and that leads to more expensive problems. Van runs nice and quiet now no lifter noise and no falling oil pressure. I have another van 1979 5.8 it's getting flushed next oil change started doing oil pressure drop thing about 2 month's ago.
I haven't done my Bronco, hasn't given me reason to.
Hope this helps.
I haven't done my Bronco, hasn't given me reason to.
Hope this helps.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 506
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From: Buffalo, NY
My bronco's been dropping oil press when i come to a stop. Started with some lifter noise this last week. I REALLY don't want to do a rebuild or swap yet. i don't have the money but do have a second engine. Time, a hoist and engine stand are also an issue
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 573
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From: Medina, Tn.
On my 89, the pressure has been like that for 13 years and no problems yet. I started adding a quart of Lucal Engine Stabalizer for the past 2 years at oil changes and it has helped quiet a bit. Go to lucasoil.com. They have fantastic products and I've used a few of them with great results.
Good luck,
Good luck,
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
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When I first got my 89, it would do the same. And my red "engine" light would light when I sat at idle, and the oil pressure gauge would pin to low.
I found this forum and joined up to ask questions about it. I was told to replace the sender unit--or replace with a mech. gauge because the dash gauge was a dummy gauge anyway. I replaced the sender first, but it started leaking a few months later and It was still pinning. I installed the mech. gauge and grounded the lead to the dash gauge so it would read normal and the light would stay off. I also dropped the oil pan and cleaned out the pick up and replaced the oil pump. Though it was good for the bronco, it did nothing for my pressure.
What i found was the I had 40psi at start up, and would drop to 20psi while at 2k rpm while driving and then about 2psi at idle fully warmed up. I was running 5w30 oil at the time. I started running 10W40 and it boosted the idle psi to about 8-10psi fully warmed up.
I'm also waiting to rebuild, and replacing the bearings is a job in itself which is why i haven't done it. I figured I might as well only do it once!
I found this forum and joined up to ask questions about it. I was told to replace the sender unit--or replace with a mech. gauge because the dash gauge was a dummy gauge anyway. I replaced the sender first, but it started leaking a few months later and It was still pinning. I installed the mech. gauge and grounded the lead to the dash gauge so it would read normal and the light would stay off. I also dropped the oil pan and cleaned out the pick up and replaced the oil pump. Though it was good for the bronco, it did nothing for my pressure.
What i found was the I had 40psi at start up, and would drop to 20psi while at 2k rpm while driving and then about 2psi at idle fully warmed up. I was running 5w30 oil at the time. I started running 10W40 and it boosted the idle psi to about 8-10psi fully warmed up.
I'm also waiting to rebuild, and replacing the bearings is a job in itself which is why i haven't done it. I figured I might as well only do it once!
