You can back it off to get to 70 or leave it. See if that makes a difference when hot. Valvoline VR1 is what many use as well. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/VCA205
No, I think it will be lower when hot. Never beat on a Buick engine with cold oil. I can't believe I have to say that.
The 75 psi cold oil pressure reading means nothing IMO.. It's all about hot oil pressure. I've seen engines read 60 or 70 lbs cold and zero hot at idle.
Agreed, but his cold pressure was only 45-50, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to adjust the regulator in some.
So after dinner I went back out and fired it up again and cold idle at 1200 rpm I had 70psi, I let it drop down to 500rpm and had 25psi both COLD. I then let the car warm up to operating temp and at hot idle I had 8-10psi at 650rpm idling in park. I then took it out for a drive, 1500rpm@20psi, 2000rpm@25psi. At the 3000rpm (70mph) I had a constant 35psi so I gave it a bit more throttle to get it up between 3500-3800 rpm but the oil pressure stayed at 35psi. Is that a good number to be at or is it still too low??
doesn't sound good. How did you set up the gears in the pump? Either the pump isn't set up correctly, you need a new timing case cover, the pick up is clogged, or the engine needs a rebuild. Or a combination of all of the above. My best advice is to get a TA assembled timing cover, drop the pan, clean it out and and see how it is after that.
I didn't set the pump up. A previous owner did a full rebuild on it 3 years ago. He put a new TA pump, pressure regulator with the shim kit into a new proform cover. I keep reading that you need around 12psi per 1000rpm. Is that true? What psi should I be getting past 3000rpm?
That's too low. If you're doing this in the driveway I'm afraid your numbers will be lower once you're on the street. It takes forever for oil to reach operating temp. The easiest thing to do first is to tear the pump apart and inspect it. You might be able to tighten it up some.
Go to the FAQ forum and read my oil pump thread. First step is to pull the pump apart, inspect, and set the end clearance as tight as you can. Use the TA shim kit and booster plate. Make sure you verify oil pressure before starting the engine by running the pump with a drill. Your pressures are too low. Not so much the idle pressure, but the cruise pressure. At 3000 RPM, you should be seeing 50-60 psi. If after setting up the pump, your pressures are still low, it points to bearing clearances that are too loose. If that is the case, you may be able to replace the bearings to tighten the clearances up if there is no damage to the crank.
I will read that thread today. As for the TA shim kit and booster plate it's already on there. The previous owners mechanic who I spoke with and has good knowledge of buick engines said he put a new pump(gears&spring),booster plate and shim kit in it when he did the rebuild. Is it ok to drive it at low cruising speeds like 30-50mph and keeping the rpms down around 1500-2000 with 35psi or will I damage anything? This seems like its going to turn into a big ol' can of worms lol
If he's a good mechanic with alot of Buick knowledge, why do you have a low oil pressure issue? Unfortunately, you now have to question what he did. The easiest thing to check is the pump. Maybe the guy just grabbed the wrong shim.
Ok Thanks Larry! I never said he was a GOOD mechanic just the he was the previous owners mechanic that did the rebuild. Alot of things he told me that were done I've read about guys on here doing so I assumed he was knowledgeable. But you're right Buick64203 I am questioning things now and the pump is a good easy and cheaper place to start! Maybe he put the wrong spring in or maybe it's a broken spring?? Fingers crossed that's all it is.
By adjusting the spring, you are taking a lot of the spring question out. Stock and Stage 1 springs usually come with an oil pump rebuild. If you tightened up the adjuster, you've probably gone higher spring tension than the Stage 1 spring already. Like everyone says, take the filter and pump cover off and see what is in there. That's the first place to look. Maybe it is something easy. Maybe they put it together too loose and all you need to do is tighten it up.
That is my plan I just haven't gotten to yet but I'll take pics and keep everyone posted when I get it apart.
