Not Stude related, but I need an opinion

[Guest]

I have a question about our 1950 Willy Jeepster, I know its not a Stude, but I respect your guy's opinions. First off the engine is a 161 flathead six....I'm having problems with warm oil pressure. When the engine is cold the oil pressure shoots right up to around 80psi when first started, fast idle. At normal idle it sits around 50 or so. However, after the engine warms up it barely has any oil pressure at idle, maybe around 5 pounds or less. If you rev it around 1500-1800 the oil pressure slow raises to around 15 or 20 pounds. Once on the road it runs around 20-25, and maybe 35 once up around 50MPH. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of what could be wrong. Currently I am running 15W-40, but I have run 30 before with about the same results. Obviously something is getting warmer in the motor and expanding and allowing a lose of oil pressure somewhere, just where? A friend of mine said the lifter bores could be worn. BTW...There are no noises in the engine, it runs pretty quiet.
Thanks
Randy



Randy Wakefield
1955 President

[vegas paul]

How confident are you in the dash board oil pressure reading? Have you measured the pressure using an independent instrument? Just curious, since the issue may not be actual oil pressure, but meter response. Could the gauge reading be dependent upon something other than actual oil pressure, such as alternator output, etc.

Las Vegas, NV
'51 Champion Business Coupe G899965 10G-Q4-1434

[hank63]

If you end up suspecting excessive wear inside the engine, you could take an oil sample for analysis, like some truck owners do. The analysis report will (should) identify abnormal amounts of contamination. I did it for a brand X engine a couple of years ago. The report showed higher than normal bearing metal in the oil. Pulled the engine apart, and found 1 main bearing in bad condition. That saved an expensive failure.
/H

[bige]

I would suspect main bearing(s). Any "rattles" at loght throttle just off idle?

ErnieR

[stude freak]

Worn cam bearings?

David Baggett '53 coupe

[curt]

Go to http://www.classiccar.com , then chat, then Kaiser-Frazer. Willis was part of K-F and those fellows may have some help. The same engine is used in th eDarrin Sports Car, I think. They are a slower in posting a response.

[Guest]

Thanks for the tip Curt! Everyone else:
Yes, I'm pretty sure the gauge is correct, its a mechanical (not effected by the generator speed) after market gauge, non stock. The engine doesn't make any odd noises or knocks. I think I might try to take the oil pan off and start poking around, someone said the oil pick-up tube screen could be block too, worth a shot.
Thanks

Randy

Randy Wakefield
1955 President