oil pressure 1963 engine [29F]

[coj]

My healey at idle wehn cold runs an oil pressure of around 30 lbs.(500 rpm) When warm it drops to about 20 lbs. When running at highway speeds (2500 - 3000) rpm) it stays around 40 lbs. The car does not use oil. sump stays full. No smoke out the exhaust. Manuals say it should be around 60 lbs at highway speeds. Any thoughts? Does this put the engine at risk?

 

[TimK]

Mine has been like this for decades, but I don't put many miles on it. How many miles on yours? Have you checked the rocker shaft for usual wear? Does oil spray out from rocker shaft or just ooze out? (should only ooze)

 

[Keoke]

My healey at idle wehn cold runs an oil pressure of around 30 lbs.(500 rpm) When warm it drops to about 20 lbs. When running at highway speeds (2500 - 3000) rpm) it stays around 40 lbs. The car does not use oil. sump stays full. No smoke out the exhaust. Manuals say it should be around 60 lbs at highway speeds. Any thoughts? Does this put the engine at risk?

NO!!!---Keoke

 

[TimK]

I think 40 lbs is normal for a 100,000 mile engine in good condition.

 

[coj]

Thanks for the info.Sorry for the double post I do not know how many miles are on this engine, it was installed in the late 80's in a 1960 BT 7 california car. Any tips on what weight oil to use, local body restorer uses 20W 50, not sure if multigrade is OK.

 

[John Turney]

Thanks for the info.Sorry for the double post I do not know how many miles are on this engine, it was installed in the late 80's in a 1960 BT 7 california car. Any tips on what weight oil to use, local body restorer uses 20W 50, not sure if multigrade is OK.

SAE 20W50 is fine. Here is a good one.

 

[Keoke]

Castrol syntec Motor Oil

Classic & Vintage Vehicles that Qualify ---------Where LBC-- :laugh: ?????
Pre–1949 1949 — 1961 1962 — 1973
► Historic
Restoration ► Historic
Restoration ► Historic
Restoration
► Hot Rods ► Customs ► Muscle Cars
► Street Rods ► Rat Rods ► Pony Cars
► Customs
► Pro Street
► Pro Touring

I would stick with Castrol GTX 20/50 or preferably Valvoline VRI 50 Weight .--Keoke----

 

[RAC68]

During the winter I changed the oil in my 100K+ engine to 10W40 and, as yet, haven’t changed up to my usual summer 20W50. During my last drive to a local show, the weather was sunny with temperatures in the mid to high 80s. An idle speed of about 1K RPM (getting to a 500RPM idle on my P1BJ8 has always been impossible) produces a 20 lb pressure with 40+ lbs at 2K to 2.5K. Although idle pressure is a slight bit higher when using 20W50 on a hot summer day, running at 2k to 2.5K RPMs does produce a solid 50 lbs.

It sounds to me that you are doing great by getting 20 lbs at a warm 500 RPM idle. You are also doing fine running at 40 lbs.

I have never read any Healey specs that indicate a 60 lb warm road speed pressure and the only reference to hitting 60 lbs is the setting of the oil pressure relief valve. I do hit 60 lbs on a cold autumn morning on initial start up with 20W50 in the crank.

Hope these data points help.

Ray (64BJ8P1)