1000 rpm's or less and the oil pressure drops to zero
 

I just put in a new oil press sending unit in and it helped but the needle still drops to zero under 1k rpm's. The motor doesn't make any noise or anything. Oil pressure always SLOWLY rises to 50psi and never higher. Then when the oil warms up it drops to 45-48psi.

Could it be that the oil pump or it's screen is bad or clogged?

anyone?

45psi at idle? That's good pressure. Your gauge or sending unit may just be slow. I take it you have an aftermarket gauge/sending unit?

Actually, I am going by the stock gauge. I saw an '89 vert 5.0 and it's gauge was exactly like mine except it had #'s going from 0-100.

I just don't understand why pressure drops like it does.

The sending unit is just an OEM replacement from Checker.

I would suggest an aftermarket gauge. My buddy toasted his motor because of the stock one. He was driving around town, his needle showed tons of pressure, all of a sudden, NO PRESSURE, motor is dead!

That is why I saved for an aftermarket unit from Autometer.

Ian

I just got another sending unit 'cause I don't see any good places to put gauges. Anyone have any pics of their aftermarket gauges?

AutoMeter Phantom (All electrical)

http://www.stangpower.com/ncma/ian/3.gif

http://www.stangpower.com/ncma/ian/4.gif

http://www.stangpower.com/ncma/ian/5.gif

88COBRA,

Nice setup!:) Did you do them yourself?

The A-pillar and center air/heating ducts would be great places that are out of the way for me.

I talked with a tech from Fast Times Performance here in Milwaukee about the oil pressure and he said the pan gasket commonly breaks down and sometimes gets in the pan. He said the oil pump is problably clogged with part of the pan gasket or something. He would charge $300 for a high volume, gasket and labor.

Thanks man!

Yeah I did it all myself, they are very easy to install. The intructions are great.

I will be making one change, I will be getting a 3 pillar (full length) because I need a new gauge for my NOVI :)

Ian