70 skylark 455 oil pressure

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by 7Duece, Sep 25, 2020.

  1. 7Duece

    7Duece Well-Known Member

    I have been searching and finding conflicting reports.

    On a cold start, the pressure is around 55 if I remember right. I can write some things down this weekend. Under throttle it is good while cruising and on the highway at higher speeds.

    Potential problem is that when this is at an idle when hot, the gauge seems to be almost bottomed out. What should my pressures be at hot idle?

    Here are the gauges i have.

    upload_2020-9-25_12-14-50.png
     
  2. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    It’s because you gauge is not sensitive at lower pressures, buy a quality gauge that reads at lower levels.
     
  3. 7Duece

    7Duece Well-Known Member

    I will look into that, thanks. What pressure should I be reading at idle?
     
  4. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    15-20ish is good, 50-60 at startup is good. Also use a copper line, plastic gives false readings as it heats up.
     
  5. 7Duece

    7Duece Well-Known Member

    I know that it is a plastic line, but at hot idle i bet i am only ready like 6. the 50-60 at startup is accurate though. Any good, yet inexpensive gauge to swap out the one i have that you would recommend?
     
  6. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    6 is plenty according to Denny, the designer of the 455. If you see any pressure he told me it was fine.
     
  7. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron 480 IRON HEAD STAGE 2

    Rule of thumb on a Buick V-8 and V6 It's recommended that you should you have at least 10 to 11 psi at idle hot an 10 to 11 for every RPM so 2000 rpm 22 psi An so on. Set your idle at 1000 RPM and check the oil pressure see where it's at.
     
  8. 7Duece

    7Duece Well-Known Member

    thanks for that input. I do not have a Tach, but I will check out my pressure and possibly change the gauge.
     
  9. If I recall correctly, the idiot light will come on at 8psi.

    I'd never go against what Dennis says is right for the 455 though.
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  11. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    I just took those same gauges out of my car and replaced them with the 2 5/8" Sport-Comp Autometer gauges, like Larry's link shows. I put them into individual pods under the dash, though. I did the replacement so I can actually see the readings at a glance, and also noticed the oil pressure shows a little higher reading at idle when the car is hot. I have always used these gauges in my past muscle cars. Note that the copper line does not come with the gauge. It comes with a plastic one. You have to buy that separate.

    Hope that this helps...
     
  12. 7Duece

    7Duece Well-Known Member

    Larry, that is an awesome writeup. We are almost to the point of putting her away for winter and I hope to be able to do more to her while it cannot be driven. I think i will take the advice of your link and put new gauges in her for next year. Maybe Santa will be nice to me this year and I will make a list of parts I want to put on the car.
     
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Thanks, the thread is a bit dated. Autometer now makes 270* sweep electrical gauges that are much better than the harder to read 90* electric gauges. They are, however, a lot more expensive.

    Their Cobalt Series are very nice,

    https://www.autometer.com/2-5-8-oil-press-0-100-psi-fse-cobalt.html

    https://www.autometer.com/2-5-8-water-temp-100-260-f-fse-cobalt.html
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2020
  14. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Speedhut also makes 2 5/8" 270* sweep electrical gauges that are very nice and can be customized. They seem to be a little less that the Autometer brand.
     
  15. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  16. 7Duece

    7Duece Well-Known Member

    Update, I put in a new gauge and everything works much better now and I feel that I have a much more accurate reading
     
    FLGS400 likes this.

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