Is it good?

[Werdegast]

At 60 mph my oil pressure is about 50lbs.......is this better than average? (R1)

[rockne10]

Yes! What is the pressure at hot idle?

[Tom Bredehoft]

My '63 289, non R1 holds 55 to 60 lbs at 60 mph hot. idles near 15. Based upon sludge build up in the valley, i do not believe this engine has been rebuilt. I've been told this is normal for the late model (full flow) engines.

[Werdegast]

me stupid.........forgot to look.......what is a good hot idle number?

[Gunslinger]

The Avanti owners manual says "Normal oil pressure is between 45 and 60 lbs. at approximately 2000 rpm depending on the temperature of the oil and its viscosity".

[StudeRich]

me stupid.........forgot to look.......what is a good hot idle number?

All of my late '62 to '64 full flow V-8's, 15 or 20 of them, have all had warm idle Oil Pressure of 35 to 40 Psi except when one '63 lost a Cam Bearing.

[Werdegast]

Ok checked the car today..........with car hot and at a 650 RPM idle.......the pressure is exactly 20 pounds.....can I assume this is an acceptable number for an engine in good shape?

[DEEPNHOCK]

You are fine.....
Make sure to regularly service your pressure relief valve.
Change your oil and filter regularly.
Drive it a lot.
Have fun.
Jeff

Ok checked the car today..........with car hot and at a 650 RPM idle.......the pressure is exactly 20 pounds.....can I assume this is an acceptable number for an engine in good shape?

[63t-cab]

I'm gonna say that is acceptable,a stude vendor recently told me that 25 pounds is not a problem at hot idle! I think Rich may be one of the luckier ones?

[jclary]

I'm gonna say that is acceptable,a stude vendor recently told me that 25 pounds is not a problem at hot idle! I think Rich may be one of the luckier ones?

Problem???...Problem!!!...I think he's bragg'n!

[rockne10]

Oil idiot lights don't come on until you're well below 10psi. Be happy you have that pressure and even happier you have a gauge.

[Werdegast]

I change oil two times per yr......no matter the milage. the valve was cleaned ten yrs ago.

You are fine.....
Make sure to regularly service your pressure relief valve.
Change your oil and filter regularly.
Drive it a lot.
Have fun.
Jeff

[Werdegast]

I do utilize 20W50 oil.

Oil idiot lights don't come on until you're well below 10psi. Be happy you have that pressure and even happier you have a gauge.

[sbca96]

I dont believe 20w50 will give you the right protection, that oil is designed for high
revving 4 cyl multi-valve / multi-cam engines. I think 10w30 is correct. You may
be keeping too much oil in the valve covers and not at the crank where its needed.
10w30 should bring your idle pressure to normal, and lower your higher rpm also.

Tom

[rockne10]

I use Rotella T 15-40. Still have a few gallons of the old stuff left so haven't yet invested in ZDDP.