High Oil Pressure
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Joined: May 2004
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High Oil Pressure
I have just gotten a 1977 F150 with a 351 modified 2BL. The engine is running rough. The oil pressure is high. I don't see any oil leaks outside of the engine. Any ideas what is going on?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Houston/Hope BC
The two things may not be related but, a place to start might be starting it with the valve covers off and see if oil is being pumped up each of the push rods. What are you considering high oil pressure? The stock guage basically amounts to a sophisticated idiot light for all practical purposes. 
Have you tried the basic cap/rotor/wires/plugs? Need more info!
Have you tried the basic cap/rotor/wires/plugs? Need more info!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Get a mechanical oil pressure gauge. The in dash units are notorious for bad readings. Also, many times people replace the sending units with units for idiot lights, which will give all kinds of weird readings.
As Ecuri said, it's likely the 2 problems are unrelated. I'd start with a tuneup.
As Ecuri said, it's likely the 2 problems are unrelated. I'd start with a tuneup.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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What do you consider high? On initial start (Valvoline 5W-30) I see 90 PSI...once engine is warm, I cruise for hours at 58-62 PSI, and then at idle in DRIVE (stoplight, for example) I see 20...in PARK I see 30. I am running a Melling High Volume Oil pump in my 400. BTW, those pressures are with a SunPro mechanical Oil Pressure Gauge taken off the port between the fuel pump and the oil filter.
DiMora
DiMora
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True, I was just using the stock gauge, I will get a real gauge and hook it up. But basically the idiot gauge is running to high end as soon as the truck starts and while it is in it's rough idle. I have replaced, the spark plugs and wires, the cap and rotor seem good, but can replace. I will also mention, that I have rebuilt the carburetor, replaced the fuel pump and checked the vacuum lines for leaks. The idiot gauge was fine when we first bought the truck and this problem started once we drove the trucj back home.
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I'm going to sound like a moron... Idiot gauge? I've heard books refer to it and it obviously it is an oil pressure guage... everyone else knows... what the heck is it?
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Usually it is idiot light - meaning the light gives no useful information other that "you have a problem"...at least a gauge shows some real info if it is working correctly. I've never heard the term idiot gauge.
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Idiot light is what I meant... think i got it figured out... purchased a oil pressure gauge. Is it as easy to hook up as the instructions make it sound?
- take out the oil pressure sending unit and hook up a nylon line from the block (where the oil pressure sending unit should go) to the back of the gauge?
I don't think I should be as nervous as I am, but i'm trying to hook this think up prior to starting a rebuilt engine (first one). thanks for the help.
- take out the oil pressure sending unit and hook up a nylon line from the block (where the oil pressure sending unit should go) to the back of the gauge?
I don't think I should be as nervous as I am, but i'm trying to hook this think up prior to starting a rebuilt engine (first one). thanks for the help.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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You can do that, Shorbino, or go to Ace hardware and get some brass fittings so you can use your idiot light sensor and your gauge at the same time off that rear oil pressure port, or even better yet...with your oil filter off, you can install a fitting in the hole between the fuel pump port and the oil filter - that is what I did, and it worked great. You might even be able to install there without removing the oil filter, but I think it would be difficult. I bought an adapter fitting from Advance Auto to adapt the 3/8" NPT engine block hole to work with my AutoGage mechanical Oil pressure gauge fittings. Just use some Teflon plumbers tape on all the fittings so you don't get a leak. This is a pressurized oil port. See Bubba's site for a picture here:
http://home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250/parts/pics02.html
It is the picture entitled "Crossover Oil Gallery Port ". Thanks, Bubba!
Regards,
DiMora
http://home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250/parts/pics02.html
It is the picture entitled "Crossover Oil Gallery Port ". Thanks, Bubba!
Regards,
DiMora