oil pressure

[fomoco01]

after hooking up a mechanical oil pressure gauge,Im not sure IM happy with its readings. When Its cold its reading about 40psi, after warming up it runs between 10 & 35 psi. The dummy light doesnt flicker & the motor sounds strong. Should I be worried? Oh by the way its a 92 5.0 HO motor.

[gadget73]

Thats fine. As long as its got some oil pressure you're OK.

[turbo2256b]

Thats about 10 to 15 PSI low

[Mercracer]

20PSI and below is definitely cause to take note. It means that you have bearing wear. 10PSI means significant wear. A low idle could be giving you a low reading.

[fomoco01]

I installed a cheap set of Sunpro gauges. could it be the gauge? I used every bit of line they give me to route it to where i have gauges but im sure there is no kinks.

[boXman]

If you're getting 10, I wonder what my '88 gets....the light is on/flickers all the time lol

[85crownHPP]

you dont need much oil pressure at idle, the important thing is wether or not it goes up while you are driving.
I think the light comes on at 6 or 8 psi

[boXman]

Yea, see...it's on when I drive too. :p

[Mercracer]

you dont need much oil pressure at idle, the important thing is wether or not it goes up while you are driving.
I think the light comes on at 6 or 8 psi

If it doesn't go up while you are driving, you will soon get several clues such as the hole in your oil pan....

It is affectionately called an idiot light for a reason. By the time the light goes on if you are driving, it may be too late do do anything abaout it anyway, although I know of more than 1 bright individual that would wait to add oil until their light would come on. Needless to say, the engines didn't last long.
In a 302, it isn't a matter of "need" as much as a symptom of impending failure. As your bearing clearances increase, your oil pressure will decrease. You could also have a oil pickup screen which is clogging up or an oil pump with excessive clearances.

[nfldfordltd]

Usually most ford engines will live for a considerable amount of time with just 3 pounds of oil pressure at idle in gear. Try adding heavier oil (SAE 15W-40) and see if that helps. It should give you an additional 4-5 pounds. Also keep the engine as cool as possible.

[85crownHPP]

You could use some lucas oil stabiliser too, and a 180 dgree thermostat will help keep it cooler.

[mrltd]

Mine would drop to 0 hot at idle....motor was quiet. Ran great. 250K miles. Trans died first...

Now, the 91...wow. 20w50 and the idiot light lit up on the highway. Lots of noise. Crank was ground up along with the bearings.

[Lincolnmania]

i've seen plenty of 302's run without oil pressure.......10 psi is fine for a high mileage motor........i bet jeremys car makes no more than 10 psi........prob run some more if it's not beat on lol

[Mercracer]

I used to drive my 1979 LTD to school in a snow storm up hill both ways towing a school bus with -4psi of oil pressure...752,289.4 miles on it.

[Freshmeat]

In a 302, it isn't a matter of "need" as much as a symptom of impending failure.

I feel like that should be quoted again.
Personally, I drove over 500 miles in three days with the dummy light coming on and the gauge reading sub-10psi the entire time. When I parked it, it still was not knocking. However, I didn't bother, because I knew what was coming.