TR4/4A TR4 oil pressure issue

[heliguy]

Fairly new owner of a '67 TR4A that, to me anyways, is an unusual oil pressure issue. I can start the car up, and i get around 65-70 PSI on the gauge, and i can let the car idle for 20 minutes in the driveway, blipping the throttle now and then, and the pressure never drops below 60. But if i go for a 10 minute drive, the pressure at idle is now down to maybe 20 or so. Other than that, seems to run fine with no unusual engine noises. Pressure releif valve issue, or maybe no issue at all?

 

[TR4nut]

Sounds pretty normal! It takes a while for the oil to fully heat up, but once hot 20 psi is quite common in the TR3/4 engines. Enjoy the car!

 

[Darrell_Walker]

What weight oil are you using?

Randy is right, it takes a while for the oil temperature to stabilize. I used to have an oil temp gauge on my 4A, and it took a good 20-30 minutes of freeway driving for the oil temperature to peak. Coolant temp would peak after less than 5 min.

 

[TR3driver]

Entirely normal. The earlier owner's manuals specifically mention low pressure at idle, but for some reason the TR4A version only says that it shouldn't drop below 30 psi at 2000 engine rpm.

If you don't have an owner's manual, I suggest finding one. New reprints are still available, or tired originals sometimes show up on eBay.

https://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1965-1967-Triumph-TR4A-Owners-Manual-Reprint-P22422.aspx

 

[Rrbbeerrttoo]

My Tr4 ,Tr 4a workshop manual says :

" set oil pressure at 70 Lb/sq.in at 2000 rpm. Pressure will be lower??? when engine is hot and idling, also with worn bearings , lack of oil, even clogged oil filter. Maybe also trapped dirt in relief valve of the oil press setting head ".

Robert
66' tr4a irs
CTC 53788 L

 

[Brinkerhoff]

Your oil pressures are fine. I would have no concern about running it. Kevin Healey , TR3, e type.

 

[heliguy]

OK, thanks for all the info on oil pressure, guess its "normal" for these engines. Now, does anybody know how to make the weather nicer for top down driving??????

 

[Geo Hahn]

Drive south until you see the sign 'Welcome to Arizona'. Go another 300 miles and you're all set. Lots of Canadians in our local club who leave a LBC down here to use in the winter months.

 

[tdskip]

SoCal is an option as well!

 

[jimstr4]

If you are going to go to the bother of sending it south then send it all the way south to New Zealand.
I will look after it for you, when you are not down this way.

 

[BillyB62]

....or you can come to New England where it is 9 degrees today....brrrrrr