oil pressure on stock 5.0

[420nitro]

Originally posted by GhettoPop
Ques on oil pressure on a stock 5.0. Stock gauge will read about 1/2 when cold at idle or under load. Once warm, the gauge reads 1/2 when driving, but when at idle, gauge will drop down to about 1/4. (2nd line from the bottom i believe.) Is this normal? I know the stock gauges are sh*t, just wanted some input. This is the case with my 90Gt, as well as a friends 91 GT conv. Thanks.

Yes, it is normal. When I used to work for Ford and a car would come in for a low oil pressure, Ford says to check pressure with a mechincal guage and check. Just because the needle was low did not indicate the oil pressure was dangerously low. If it is in the "normal" range then you were OK. It sucks, but what you going to do. You should check the oil pressure with a mechincal one to make sure. Technically all you need is 10 psi of oil pressure per 1,000 rpms . I still would not feel comfortable with less then 20 psi at idle. If it is lower then that, you can also get a thicker oil.