oil pressure in gear on 72 T top

[L88 crazy]

I measured my oil pressure with another gauge in my 72 Vette and it is 46 psi at 2000 RPM with the engine warmed up. According to the 1976 Chilton manual, the specifications list the 1972 model year 350 Chevy specification oil pressure at 40 psi at 2000 RPM. The oil pressure drops to 15 psi when put into gear. Is this reading normal or should it always stay steady at the 46 psi idle pressure whether the Corvette is in gear or not? My Vette has 154,600 miles roughly I can't remember exact mileage. 52,000 miles I believe is on the 1978 engine rebuild. Every last one of those miles is daily driving miles.

 

[JohnZ]

Oil pressure is a function of engine rpm, not what gear it's in; if by "in gear" you mean idling in Drive and it's showing 15 psi at that rpm, I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[Robin7TFour]

i have to add, the fluctuation may be attributed to worn bearings in the bottom end. what kind of milage is on the motor?

robin