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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Oil pressure

  • Thread starter Thread starter quiksilver9531
  • Start date Start date Nov 23, 2004

quiksilver9531

Founding Member
Oct 9, 2001
469
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0
New Jersey
Nov 23, 2004
#1
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #1
I just put in an autometer oil pressure gauge and i'm just curious as to what the oil pressure should actually be at idle and while driving.
 

UnderPressureGT

New Member
Dec 31, 2002
2,285
0
0
TR- Jersey Shore
Nov 23, 2004
#2
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #2
dude your making like 60 at an idle.. i wouldnt b1tch.. i wish i had the oil pressure you have lol
 

Black1987Stang

Active Member
Aug 22, 2004
1,422
0
37
Jersey Shore
Nov 23, 2004
#3
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #3
I got 10psi at a hot idle, I dont know how it's still running so good lol
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,016
1,613
194
NJ
Nov 23, 2004
#4
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #4
On start up, 60 or so is good.

Hot idle around 20 and up.

diddle, mine ran fine with my last motor for about a year with 7 psi at hot idle, then she let go.
 

Scott_B

"1 Arm Wonder! "
Founding Member
Oct 27, 1998
4,197
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66
NS Canada!
Nov 23, 2004
#5
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #5
Mine is 60 when started and cold. under normal highway driving stays around 50-55. At idle when hot stays around 40-45 or so.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Nov 23, 2004
#6
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #6
helps to know about oil viscosity used and ambient temps.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Nov 23, 2004
#7
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #7
As you can see - there's no one answer to your question. It varies depending on things like how much wear and tear is on the engine (as the bearings/clearances open up, pressure drops), weight of oil, temperature of oil, engine rpm, etc. A generally accepted rule of thumb is that you want 10 psi of pressure for each 1000 rpm (6000 rpm would like to see at least 60 psi); and a minimum of 15-20 psi at idle; more would make me feel more comfortable. Most pump have some sort of internal spring-loaded bypass that limits high pressure to some preset level. Stock type pumps are usually set so they won't exceed 60-70 psi.

Mine when cold (0 degrees - 90F) will jump straight up to about 65 psi at idle or with higher revs. As the oil temp increases, that pressure drops off a bit. At 210F oil temp, mine idles (800 rpm) with about 30-35 psi, and with revs hits a max of about 55-60 psi. My short block has about 66K miles on it - original rings/bearings. The oil pump was replaced with a new, stock pump at 52K miles when I pulled the motor for performance upgrades. In winter I run 5W-30 weight oil; in spring/summer/fall - 10W-30 or 10W-40 (depending on what's on sale at WalMart).
 

Hissing Cobra

Founding Member
Jan 4, 2002
798
0
17
Massachusetts
Nov 23, 2004
#8
  • Nov 23, 2004
  • #8
My engine is relatively new with about 6,000 miles on it and at a cold start, it's about 60 psi. When warmed up, it'll hover between 50-55 psi while driving (depending on the rpm range) and 45-50 while idling.

I use Castrol GTX 10W-40 motor oil and changed it after the cam break in, at 1,000 miles, and at 3,000 miles.
 
F

Flyin88LX

New Member
Dec 26, 2003
28
0
1
Colchester IL
Nov 24, 2004
#9
  • Nov 24, 2004
  • #9
My engine has 115,000 on it and runs 20 plus at idle and 60 going down the road
 
8

89tang

Founding Member
Oct 20, 2000
2,508
0
0
Newark ohio
Nov 24, 2004
#10
  • Nov 24, 2004
  • #10
Mine on start up goes to between 65 an 70psi, warm idle around (800-900rpm) it sits right about 20psi an while driving it's right around 50psi shoots up to 65psi if i get on it. My motor prolly has around 5000 miles on it i'm not exactly sure i bought it used 10w30 oil too
 
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