what kind of oil pressure is acceptable?

[holyford86]

I just replaced my 279k 2.9 with a 2.9 with about 120k miles. This engine likes to run about 42-45 LBS oil pressure @ 2,000 RPM warm with 10w-40 oil and no additives, and about 20-25 at idle, It seems low to me. It doesn't seem to tick at all, atleast over the sound of my tires and the whine in my transmission, and with no carpet or insulation at all on the floor. My old 2.9 ticked like hell when it was started in weather below 40 degrees and took a few minutes to go away and still managed to have 50-55 psi of oil pressure at 2,000 RPM warm and about 38-42 at idle, with the same brand and viscocity of oil and the same brand of filter. I couldn't hear that one tick when warm either. Thoughts?

 

[OldJunk]

Sounds pretty normal, hell if you had a 350 chev, youd be happy with 10psi at idle warm.

 

[koolmilds]

10psi per 1000RPM warm is sufficient

 

[Hahnsb2]

The spec is 40-60PSI warm at 2K. Mine had 60 PSI warm with 10w30, idled at 25 PSI, dunno why your old motor had so much idle pressure.

 

[almostclueless]

If the guage is accurate and there aren't any ticks, it sounds like good news.

 

[MAKG]

It's fine, but I'd strongly suggest 10W-30, even if it's slightly low. Especially in winter. Perhaps 5W-30 if you keep it outside with no block heater and it gets subzero on occasion.

The spots that tick, the location of the oil pressure port, and the spots that might tear oil films are all different, and it can be VERY difficult to know what you're doing to the cam bearings (for instance).

 

[terminater221]

Look in the tech library they have all the specs for it.

 

[RustedRanger]

I agree with koolmilds. I remembered reading that somewhere.