another oil pressure question

[sirjeremyjohnson]

I know the factory gauges aren't accurate, I'm just curious as to what other people's look like. On my 85 b2 when the engine is good and warm and idling my oil gauge generally sits at the M on the NORM gauge if that makes sense. I dont know if thats normal or something to worry about.

I know the only way to truly know is get a mechanical gauge and check, I just want to see where you guy's gauge sits at.

 

[Big Jim M]

WHY would you want to know what the oil pressure really is? As long as the lifters aren't clicking you are good! Oil pumps either pump or don't! Gradual failure isn't seen. Even if you had NO way of knowing there was pressure, you would be good for at least a couple hundred thousand miles.
The reason there isn't an accurate gauge in our rides is because it doesn't matter what the pressure is, as long as the engine is working.
Pressure fluctuates from one engine to another. If your friend had 50 pounds and you had 40 pounds you'd prolly be down at the dealer wanting a correction... when in fact the 40 pounds is way more than plenty. So Ford in all their wiseness gave us, in effect, a light instead of a real gauge.
And even then we wonder if the O is worse then the M...
AS long as the lifters are quiet forgetaboutit!
Big JIm

 

[n_grimm]

I was thinking all the 2.8's have solid lifters so you need to worry if they are quiet.

 

[sirjeremyjohnson]

that's what I was thinking, the lifters are gonna sound the same regardless. I'm just curious about the gauge. I'd rather fix something before it takes everything else with it. I'm going to check it with a real gauge, I'd just like the truck gauge to read correctly as well.

 

[dangerranger83]

Ive had a manual guage on mine for years. In the winter in start up running 2000rpm high idle im at 60psi of pressure. Once the truck is at temp, Im at 25psi idling at 800rpm. Crusing im at 40ish psi.

I will say its nice to know what PSI Im running at when driving. Cant say the same for my manual temp guage, it took a puke a month ago but there both 10 years old.

 

[The_Dealer]

mine runs right in the middle, or a little higher when im on the gas

 

[sirjeremyjohnson]

I got around to putting a manual gauge on it. At a cold start im close to 50 psi, normal idle at no lower than 20, and cruising at about 40. So i should be fine correct?

I also installed a new oil sender and replaced the old wire running to it as well, my gauge now looks much better than before.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I used to use my guage to tell me when to add oil until I did the intake manifold and duraspark sealing the big leaks. I sits about half hot at freeway speeds and just above the M at an idle. On the 2.8 if you dont hear at least a little lifter noise the engine is probably not running.