New guy!! with some issues.

[cammed89lx]

Hello everybody! I was browsing on the internet and found this place. looks pretty helpful. A little about myself is, I am a new fox owner, i had a 5.0 before this but it was a sn95. Anyways my new toy is an 89 lx with a 306, f 303 cam, afr 165 heads, 1.6 rr, 650 carb, and RPM airgap edelbrock intake, and a few other goodies. Anyway it was just rebuilt and has about 2800 miles on the motor and new t-5. It was running ok for a little, and recently after about 5 minutes after its warmed up the oil psi reads about 10 psi at idle . So im a bit worried, while cruising its at like 18-25psi. About a week or 2 ago it would idle at 18-25 psi, and cruise at 30+. Its a new aftermarket gauge. I need some help, i dont want this thing to die out on me. Thank you in advance for any replies, i appreciate it.

Also another thing thats happened recently was after i got on it a few days ago i came back about an hour later to start my car and the battery light read so close to red, and now my windows barely go up and down. Thanks again guys, anything will help.

 

[jrichker]

Take the car to a major auto parts chain store like Autozone, Advanced Auto Parts, O'Riely's, etc. and have them check the charging system. They will do it for free.

 

[cammed89lx]

ok, thank you. will do.. any idea on the oil psi issue?

 

[wv109323]

Oil Pressure

On the oil pressure, I would try a second gauge. There is not much way the oil pump could partiallly fail to produce less pressure. It would have to be in the relief of the oil pump. Its more than likely the gauge.

 

[jrichker]

Oil pressure should run 10 PSI per 1000 RPM. A heathly 5.0 will run 40 PSI at 2000 RPM on a warm engine.

I would plumb in a direct reading mechanical gauge connected right to the oil pressure fitting on the engine block to check the presssure.


Mechanical oil pressure gauge installation..


1.) Remove old pressure sender. It is located down by the oil filter and has 1 wire on a push on screw connector.
2.) Install ¼” pipe tee fitting with a short ¼” nipple on the place where you removed the oil pressure sender.
3.) Install the original oil pressure sender back in one of the tee ports.
4.) Install the gauge line restrictor in the remaining port of the tee.
5.) Connect the flex tubing or hydraulic hose to the gauge restrictor. Be sure to route the tubing or hose away from the exhaust manifolds. Be sure to either use hydraulic hose or oil and heat resistant flex tubing for the pressure line. Do not use copper tubing for the connection to the gauge restrictor or engine. Over a period of time, the vibration will work harden the tubing and cause it to crack and fail.
6.) If the gauge is going to mount under the hood, connect it to the end of the hose or flex tubing. Use some Tie-wraps to secure the gauge and its plumbing to the wiring harness on the driver’s side inner fender.
7.) If the gauge is going to mount in the passenger compartment you get to find a place to run the tubing through the firewall. I suggest that you pick your spot from the inside since that is the area with the most difficult access. Do not run the tubing through the exact same hole as the steering shaft. It will tangle up with the steering shaft and cause major problems.
8.) Install the gauge inside the car in the location of your choosing. Connect the pressure line to the gauge and secure it out of the way of moving parts with Tie-wraps.
9.) Be sure to ground the gauge lighting wire to clean, shiny bare metal. Connect the other wire from the gauge lighting to a light brown/red wire on the radio wiring harness. There are 2 connectors in the radio wiring harness, but only one of them has the light brown/red wire you need for gauge illumination. Solder the gauge lighting wire to the light brown/red wire on the radio harness and cover the soldered joint with heat shrink.

How to solder like a pro - Ford Fuel Injection » How To Solder Like a Pro a must read for any automotive wiring job.

Be sure to use a gauge restrictor fitting in the pressure line going to the gauge. The restrictor will prevent all of the engine's oil supply from ending up on the pavement before you can stop it if the gauge line fails. I had a gauge line rupture, and the restrictor fitting saved my engine from serious damage.

 

[cammed89lx]

whooo. what a relief. I was getting worried my motor was f****d up. Thanks guys, i will check the sender, and the gauge. thanks guys

 

[BYRDPE]

whooo. what a relief. I was getting worried my motor was f****d up. Thanks guys, i will check the sender, and the gauge. thanks guys

welcome to the site. how many miles on the bottom end?

 

[cammed89lx]

BYRDPE, the whole motor was rebuilt less than 3000 miles ago