302 oil pressure
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
From: In my House
302 oil pressure
Well I went an installed a electrical oil pressure gauge, and running 5w30 with the engine warmed up and at idle it looks to be 40psi. accelerating( I don't have a tach) it goes up to around 50psi or so. Results typical of a 302 with 120k???? Just hearing the lower end "noises" worry me. I think I may switch over to 10w40. But winter is coming here in the Northeast.
Thanks for any advice.
Rich
Thanks for any advice.
Rich
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Campbell, California
302 oil pressure
I put 350,000 miles on my 69 Mustang's 302. If I remember, the spec for minimum oil pressure was 20 or 25 psi at 2,000 rpm. Once it hit the minimum, I rebuilt the engine. Main bearings were so worn they were copper colored. I ran 10w-30 in to cool months and 20w-50 in the hot months.
I wouldn't run 5w-30 in a engine with that kind of mileage. I'm not sold on that stuff. Sure your pressure is normal, but how well will that thin stuff hold out under a load? But that me, other feel different about the stuff.
I wouldn't run 5w-30 in a engine with that kind of mileage. I'm not sold on that stuff. Sure your pressure is normal, but how well will that thin stuff hold out under a load? But that me, other feel different about the stuff.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
From: In my House
302 oil pressure
Your right Dan, After I posted the message, I asked myself, why the hell am I running such thin stuff? I went out and changed it over to 10w40. I should be able to get away with that for another couple months, then I'll switch over to 10w30 for winter time.
Thanks,
Rich
Thanks,
Rich
