If my cleveland is running at 800 rpm or greater, I have at least 20 psi of oil pressure. If the idle drops to around 675 or so, my oil pressure drops to below 10 (usually around 8 or 9 psi). This didn't used to do this and now, all of a sudden, it is. I have changed the oil twice with a new filter each time. I do have a closed system (oil cap on one valve cover and a pcv valve hooked to the carb on the other). Anything I should worry about or do to keep the pressure up (other than never letting it drop below 800 rpm)? Never had this happen before, so I am a bit confused.
If my cleveland is running at 800 rpm or greater, I have at least 20 psi of oil pressure. If the idle drops to around 675 or so, my oil pressure drops to below 10 (usually around 8 or 9 psi). This didn't used to do this and now, all of a sudden, it is. I have changed the oil twice with a new filter each time. I do have a closed system (oil cap on one valve cover and a pcv valve hooked to the carb on the other). Anything I should worry about or do to keep the pressure up (other than never letting it drop below 800 rpm)? Never had this happen before, so I am a bit confused.
are you running a mech guage? 20psi is ok, mine is @ 30@975- 75 4000 0r higher but i also run .0050 restrictions in the mains cut 10/10 and melling pump
Yes, I am using a mechanical guage. Running a stock type oil pump (not high pressure or high volume) and there are no restrictors in place anywhere. I'm OK with the 20 psi, it's below 10 that concerns me. It runs at 75 when I first fire it up and 60+ at higher rpms, it's just at lower rpms that it gets very low (less than 10).
Alot of things are relevant to what your specific problem is. Without knowing the full history of the engine build / as in building it. A non 100% solution i have utilised in cleveland engines for the odd tight ass / or shall i say, money depraved individual, being friends that want to hold on to something they love. Lift engine, drop sump, remove oil pump. Remove oil pump relief spring split pin, place 1 or 2 1 cent pieces [you choose] in behind where split pin lives to increase oil pressure at idle. Very dodgey. I did not write this.
wow this is weird. I have the EXACT same problem, and I mean, down to every last word. My oil pressure dropped to like 6psi one day and never came back up. Couldnt figure it out so just let it ride. 3 years later the car still runs every bit as good as it did, actually better. Thats even with regular trips to the track, interstate action with 4.11 gears, and plenty of stoplight action. Im not saying dont worry about it, but just that my car is doing fine with the EXACT same problem, its almost like the crappy little sunpro guage is wrong.
hi all. 20psi on a clevo!!!! what oil are you using? thats very low. my clevos are never below 40 at idle and run to 75 (releif spring pressure) when at full operating temp with stock pump and non restricted oil galleries. the 351 in my xr runs oil restrictor kit, hv pump, rear gallery direct oil feed and modded oil galleries. it runs 50 at idle and just over 80 with no mods to oil pump spring. and using penrite hpr 15 oil. the mega mile 302C in my xa holds 40 at hot idle and 70 max on valvoline XLD plus. whats going on with your clevos? im concerned! cheers
I don't think the oil pumps are the same as they were several years ago.
My last two clevos ran 15 pounds at idle and 50 pounds full revs (7000rpm).
I also checked with a few other gauges, but my autometer mechanical gausges are reading fine.
One mhe motor ran for 3 years running in the 11's in my street car and the bearings were fine when i stripped the motor.
My current new 408 with restrictors etc has about 30-35 pounds at idle hot.
25 pounds when real hot after a good beating.
OK, figured out what the problem was with mine. Unbeknownst (sp?) to me, my crank had been turned many years ago. I recently had put new bearings in and they were stock. Since I had tossed my old ones, I didn't know what exactly they were (and not remembering having turned the crank), I bought stock bearings. So, realizing that the wrong sized bearings could have been the culprit, I purchased some new bearings that were .010 oversized, then gapped it and they were all within tolerances (no, I didn't check the tolerances when I bought the stock bearings). After reassembling and breaking in, I am not ever running below 25 psi and max out at close to 80. Go figure... Did work on my motor back in the mid 80's and didn't recall it! Hmmm...
AH HA!!!! you wont forget to check clearances again, will you!! these things happen. now thats the sort of oil pressure a Clevo should have, and dont let anyone convince you otherwise! glad to hear you have it sorted mate. cheers
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