[ccmblack]

For the past week my '69 - 350 oil gauge has been reading from 10 - 65. At idle it drops down to 10 and then while driving it goes to about 65 and then back to 10 when stopped. Does this sound normal?

 

[ccmblack]

abc

 

[wagonman]

you motor may be tired...

how many miles on it?

 

[ccmblack]

What do you think I can do...besides a rebuild?

 

[ZZ_430]

You could temporarily install a known good test gauge at the fitting on the block before anything else.

 

[ccmblack]

The gauge is brand new. Even when the oil reads low and the car has been run for a while, the temp is still in a normal range. Could it be an Oil pump problem?

 

[dale68z]

I feel it may be normal. I have seen plenty of small blocks have that kind of oil pressure, and last for 100k miles.
Do you have any rattle on start up?
You need 10 # of oil pressure for every 1k rpm.

 

[69Camarozz396]

Is it standard or aftermarket gauge? Electrical or mechanical?

A couple more ideas for a standard mechanical console gauge:

My standard console oil gauge had to be bleed of all air after installing my new headers. I disconnected the line when jacking the motor so as not break it. Oil pressure was way off after reinstalling line. I dont know if this air will finally work its way out of the line and I dont know if this is normal to have bleed but it is for my Camaro. Also, you said that the gauge was new. I had to set my new oil gauge to zero years ago. Are you at zero before starting the engine? I believe it is called a free floating guage and the needle pulls off the splined shaft and you reinstall the pointer at zero. Phil

 

[ccmblack]

It is a new gauge and mechanical. The line was sitting empty for a week or so, so could have some air...never thought of that. Could I disconnect the line, crank the engine to get flow and reinstall? At 3000 RPM I do get a reading at 65.

 

[69Camarozz396]

Sorry, I have been away for a couple of days.

I started my engine and cracked the fitting very slightly at the back of the gauge with towels under it. Are you at zero before start up?

 

[blainedoe]

the air in the line doesn't matter presure is pressure liquid or air or both.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

the air in the line doesn't matter presure is pressure liquid or air or both.

Thanks for that Blaine. Thought my physics studies were backwards.