LOW OIL PRESSURE PLEASE HELP

[trevor74]

so i dont really get it, the engine is idling fine, than when i get going it loses oil pressure, than when i coast it goes back up, i have a higher pressure oil pump but that shouldnt be a big deal should it?

thanks,
trevor

[Todd Wilson]

Is it a 400?


Todd

[trevor74]

its a 360 with an intake, a bigger cam, bigger carb, headers, you know the usual

[oldcarnut]

You didn't state how much pressure loss but I assumed you already checked or know that you don't have any problems with the oil pickup tube screen, filter, or even a bad sending unit.  My 440 had a high volume (not pressure) pump and I had to run extra oil in it.  If it started getting a little low I would notice that the oil pressure would drop suddenly or sporadically on accelerated starts or sudden stops because it was pumping more into the block faster than it would return to the pan.  Seems like the what little bit of pan oil sloshing was enough to starting the pump sucking air pockets until it leveled back out.  As long as there was an extra 1/2 -3/4 qt oil it wasn't a problem.  Also once had a loose wire connection to the sending unit to give false readings. Check your gauge and sending unit wiring.  May not to relate to you but it's an experience I had.

[trevor74]

I checked and nothing was bad and it was sucking oil, i will try adding oil and see what happens, but the gauge reads nothing when i get on it a little. but at idle it stays almost dead center and when i let off the gas also the reading goes back up.

[maxwellwedge]

Almost sounds like an electrical issue. What are your other guages doing - anything unusual?

[oldcarnut]

Try installing a mechanical gauge and see if it happens on it to verify the electrical gauge.  If it doesn't happen on the mechanical then perhaps like Maxwellwedge said you have an elctrical issue going on somewhere.  You can use a Tee fitting and use both at the same time to compare.

[firefighter3931]

Does the oilpan have baffles ? It sounds like the pickup is getting uncovered when you accelerate. Check your oil level as well....you might be low. 


Ron

[oldcarnut]

What did you find out? 

[flyinlow]

Oil pan dented in against the pick up?