What should the oil pressure be?

[G5FTH]

Hi Guys,
I noticed a Griff for sale which stated in the description that the oil pressure was running at 60psi.
Mine does not reach that kind of level during normal use so I wondered if my pressure is ok or if I need to look at replacing the oil pump.
My car quite high mileage but pulls really well and has had top end work in the past. My oil pressure sits around 30psi when I am driving.
I would appreciate knowing what other Griffs are running at.
Thanks.

[V8Bart]

When it was running, 30psi at tickover and 60psi under load, those figures from newer oil pump that was changed due to previous failure.

[QBee]

My chimaera had a new engine 7000 miles ago. Oil pressure gauge reads 40 psi when cold, 30 psi when hot. No reason to think its abnormal. Any one else?

[G5FTH]

Sounds like mine is low then. I have about 20 on tickover and 40 under normal load (on hot engine).

[slippery]

QBee said:

My chimaera had a new engine 7000 miles ago. Oil pressure gauge reads 40 psi when cold, 30 psi when hot. No reason to think its abnormal. Any one else?

I think mine's about the same.

[GlynMo]

45psi hot at 3000rpm. I'm fairly certain these engines move pretty high volumes of oil at not particularly high pressure..

[QBee]

G5FTH said:

Sounds like mine is low then. I have about 20 on tickover and 40 under normal load (on hot engine).

No, mine can be lower on idle too. Yours is similar to mine

[S3DaveP]

My 500 runs at 15-20 at idle and 35 running when hot, its done about 12000 miles since a rebuild with new pump by V8D.

But remember its a TVR gauge so it could read anything ! its more important that it stays consistent than the actual figure so I have been told.

[Loubaruch]

Steve Heath in his bible gives these figures:

At least 10-15 Lbs/in2 at tickover and 25-40 lbs/in2 at revs.

The Rover V8 does not seem to show the much higher pressures experienced with many other engines where 60 lbs/in2 is normal. I was told that a good flow of oil was much more important than the absolute pressure figure.

As Steve also points out that the pressure is dependant on many factors, the type of oil used must be a major factor and of course the temperature.

I have owned several Triumph TRs and you can easily adjust the oil pressure by cranking up the pressure relief valve but as many owners have verified if you crank it too high all you acheive is massive oil leaks!

[David Beer]

When you turn on, but not start, what do you see? Mine was minus 15 ish, a resistor adjusted to see zero before starting, just makes you feel better! But my engine has done just a few miles since rebuild.

[carsy]

You cant trust what the gauge and senders tell you, they tend to be all over the place. The only sure way to tell is by fitting a proper mechanical gauge.

[T1pper]

Around 10 psi per 1000rpm untill the pressure relief valve cuts in acceptable on a hot engine, the standard gauges are a guide only better to do a measured test for exact results.

Maybe raise the oil a grade and see if there is any improvement to be had??

[G5FTH]

Thanks for all the replies. I am much happier about the pressure displayed on the gauge.
I did suspect that the gauge may not be that accurate.
The car drives well with no strange sounds, and it had new cams etc at about 80k by a Tvr garage so I suspect that if the oil pump was a problem at that time it would have been changed.

[QBee]

I have gone from 20W50 when running the engine in, to 10W50, and now 10W60 because I do track days. No noticeable difference on the oil pressure gauge.