<VV> Low oil pressure

[Sethracer at aol.com]

Well, Bryan, I understand why you would want to try something else before  
draining that expensive oil out! It is possible, in a late model, to remove 
the  pressure relief cap, take the spring out, give it a good stretch, and 
re-install  it. I cannot speak for the access on an early. You have to be 
"adroit" with your  finger tips, but you can do it. This will cost you nothing 
to try. Beyond that,  you may want to go back to the heavier oil. As you 
noted, you have no idea what  clearances are like inside that motor. One thing 
you didn't mention is what the  readings were before you changed over the 
motor. I realize you didn't have a  gauge on it, but did the light flicker 
before? If the spring-stretch doesn't do  the job, you might consider some type 
of additive. I am not an "STP" guy, but  Lucas Oil makes several oil 
additives that might help.- Seth
 
 
In a message dated 8/5/2013 8:33:06 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
bryan at skiblack.com writes:

Hi  folks,

I figure I'll give Matt something to think about :-)

I  have a 110 of unknown history in the '66 that I switched from 15x-50 to  
10w-30.  When it's hot I now get an oil light at idle.  I thought  about 
changing it back, but it seemed to make sense to actually check the  pressure 
and see what it is.  So I made an adapter out of an old oil  filter bolt and 
put a small mechanical press gauge on it.

At start up I  have 25 psi at idle, but it only gets to 30 even at 3500 
rpm.  When warm  it's hovering around 8 - 10 at idle, but bringing the engine 
up to 3500 I only  get about 20 psi.  I'm thinking the easy thing to try 
first is just swap  out the pressure relief spring.  Any other quick fixes?  I'd 
prefer  to run 10w-30, but if it comes to it I'll put the heavier oil in 
it, I'm not  going to go deep into this engine any time soon and it runs 
really well  otherwise.

--Bryan

Bryan Blackwell | Springfield, Va. |  bryan at skiblack.com | 
http://autoxer.skiblack.com/  
Corvairs:  '62 700 Wagon, '64 Greenbrier, '65 Corsa, '66 Corsa
'69 Road Runner,  '99 Neon R/T, '00 Miata SE, '09 Ford F-150
"Why do something if you're not  going to obsess about  it?"



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