Oil pressure blues.

[StiffytheElf]

Got a big problem. When I start my van, I get great oil pressure. When its running i get good oil pressure. When I come to an idle and idle for a minute or two...oil pressure is gone! The gauge goes down all the way to the bottom. The motor is a 360, and the gauge is factory 1980. Any ideas would be great! Thanks.

[StiffytheElf]

I forgot to mention that this only occurs when the engine is hot and not while its cold. Thanks again!

[Pierre Amado]

how many miles on it? it could be your gauge, but i'm willing to bet your oil pump is getting worn out. but since you say it's only when it's warm it does this is because all the clearances i.e. main bearings rod bearings cam bearings are getting loose ,if it's not knocking just keep driving it and put some thicker oil in it,i went through this before and i just ended up rebuilding my 340.

[hemivaliant]

I'd suspect the gauge and/or the sending unit first. It's cheaper to go with an aftermarket gauge or new sending unit than a complete rebuild. The rule of thumb on oil pressure is 10 PSI for every 1000 RPM.


HV

[StiffytheElf]

Thanks so much for replying. The oil pump is a high volume one and is brand new. The engine only has 37000 miles on it. I just put it in cause I had the same problem with the last engine I had. The last engine had 200,000 miles and was very tired. Thanks again.