Low Oil Pressure (Still)

[okie]

Finally, I got my 88 Vette back from the wrench. He changed the oil pump and both sending units, but it did very little to help the oil pressure.

At 60 MPH the Oil Pressure (using Moble 1) is pretty steady at 35 PSI, but once again at idle in gear with the AC on it drops to 8-10 PSI. Since the pump was replaced it no longer drops below 5 PSI and there is no longer a low oil pressure warning light, but still, after $500.00 worth of labor and parts I am rather disappointed.

Is there anything else that could cause the low readings, and do any of you feel that this may cause engine failure? I have only driven the car about 500 miles since I got it, and in that short amount of miles I can't tell if it is using oil, but I don't really think it is.

Sorry to be so long getting back to you guys but I have been on the road for a couple of weeks and just now got to drive the car again.

bp

 

[vette-dude]

Did you have the main and rod brgs checked? If they are good then it could be the cam brgs. The clearances on all these brgs are critical to having good oil pressure. What pump did they put in? HV, HP, or Stock?

Randy

 

[vette-dude]

I forgot, did you have the oil pressure checked with a mechanical gage? Also what weight oil are you running in this engine?

Randy

 

[okie]

Oil Pressure Low

Randy,

My son picked up the car last week, and he didn't ask the questions about the weight and what all was done. Oddly enough on his corvette (and 87) he has lots of oil pressure through the complete RPM range, but his tends to run too hot. Anyway, I am pretty sure the mechanic went back with stock parts. (There seems to be some controversy if stock or HC pumps are best).

I will try and call the mechanic and see what he has to say.

 

[vader86]

Hook up a mechanical gauge, if its still that low, then either ou got a bad pump or there's too much play in the bearings and you better save for a rebuild.

 

[okie]

Just spoke with the mechanic. He did put in the standard pump. He seemed surprised about the low idle reading and said he wants to get it back and take another look. He mentioned cam bearings under his breath. He also mentioned something about changing the spring in the pump. Seems like I actually asked him to consider a heaver pump to start with, but unfortunately I was out of pocket when the car went to the shop so I don't know if he ever tested it with a mechanical guage. I do know he told me after replacing the senders that it needed a pump, so either way the pressure was low enough for him to try that approach.

The dealer I got the car from paid for the pump and labor, so that did not come out of my pocket, but I paid for the labor and parts for the senders. A rebuild would be a bad thing right now. Very bad.......