Oil pressure

I have the stock dash cluster oil gauge which only tells me if I have some kind of pressure. I just bought a new set of gauges (oil, temp, volt).

I want to manually check the oil pressure using a mechanical gauge before installing the electrical one i just bought to check accuracy.

Is there any need to remove the oil filter, or is the port accessible to easily connect a test gauge?

As far as I can tell from past posts the 350's are normal around 10-15 psi (hot at idle) and then 10psi/1000rpm.
Correct?

At start up, I get some engine noise for about 1-3 seconds before the oil pressure builds.

 

Get a different brand of filter try wix.that may get rid of the start up noise. Has a better antidrain back valve. The port for oil pressure is just above filter on block. You should see the sender behind lower hose. That's a shame your not using the factory gauges . They are fairly good. Just no numbers. Hope for atleast 15 hot idle oil pressure in gear. If not you may want to replace front cam bearing. Stock oil pressure relief (high pressure) is about 40 on most engines. You may want to change spring.

 

Thanks Andy

I do use Wix filters and 10w30. I plan on running a tee off all the ports to keep the factory gauges and lights functional as well.

If I find the pressure too far below the norm for my liking, I was considering replacing the pump with a TA pump and possibly a booster plate. If I go that route, I believe the correct spring is white? Chassis manual says around 40psi.

If I need to replace the pump, should I also replace the cover?

 

When I built my 350 I used my old timing cover with the booster plate, adjustable regulator, and booster plate with standard volume gears. I forget what spring I used, but I had 55psi cold, 23 when hot at idle. And 23 upto 2500rpm when it rose to 50psi from there to 6,000rpm.

 

Ah yes, thats what I meant. It'd be weird if it just randomly jumped up wouldn't it? 23 at idle hot then quickly rises to 50-60psi from there on upto 6. Normally shifted at 55, so the pressure leveling off at 6k didn't really bother me.

 

Test your pressure first. Then I would check pump end play. But depending on mileage of motor I would check cam bearing. I don't think you need a cover. Maybe a booster plate. But that's only if the oil pump is the problem. Have to inspect the pump. Check end play. If it looks good then check other things.

 

Mileage is 84k and I was told when I bought it (2 years ago), it had a recent cam swap and lifter work.

I will be checking the pressure and clearances this weekend.

Larry, in the thread you linked, where did you get that pic showing the clearances? My chassis manual (section 60) does not include that. I downloaded the 1971 manual from the Team Buick website.

 

Found it...Must have skipped by it when I was scrolling through the PDF.

Thanks!

 

what really should be done is the oil gauge line should be 1/4" instead of 1/8". this makes the gauge more reactive to fluctuations.

 

YOU can "T" off the sending unit port and have both functional. Aftermarket and Stock.