The Ford Barn

37FordPickupTucson · 05-14-2018, 01:28 PM

Just got my '37 pickup back on the road. The 85 HP V8 (78 Series) was bored and sleeved 15-20 years ago and has .030 over pistons. It is spotless on the inside and does not burn oil. It still has the honing marks in the sleeves. I think the rebuild only has 300-400 miles on it. Compression is 90 to 110 lbs in all cylinders.

I'm running PennGrade 10W-40 partial synthetic oil. It has the high zinc and phosphorus. The stock electric oil pressure gauge in the cluster always shows 20 to 40 PSI when running. Also have an old school mechanical gauge that shows 50 PSI on cold start, then 20 PSI warmed up. Idling at stop lights the mechanical gauge shows 5 PSI while the one in the cluster shows 20 PSI.

Any caveats or recommendations?

Bulligen · 05-14-2018, 01:34 PM

It all sounds real good to me, there always has been a difference through mechanical and electric gauges.

Ken/Alabama · 05-14-2018, 02:34 PM

Could have the wrong sending unit. Also I wouldn't use synthetic on a fresh engine.

petehoovie · 05-14-2018, 04:09 PM

What Ken said above > "Also, I wouldn't use synthetic on a fresh engine."

Ford Freak · 05-14-2018, 04:22 PM

Sounds ( the pressure #s ) just like the 8BA in my F1 . I been driving it for years ....F F

Talkwrench · 05-14-2018, 07:07 PM

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Sounds OK , do you have 77E heads? If so you should be closer to 120 lbs in the Cyls.
Are you in a cold climate? Those oils are like water, I'd just be using a 20 -50 multi grade mineral oil, changed often.

Step-down · 05-14-2018, 08:20 PM

My 8BA sounds the same running ford oil filter. Some say if I removed the filter I would get a increase in oil pressure .

05-14-2018, 01:28 PM	#1
37FordPickupTucson Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 7	85 HP oil pressure? Just got my '37 pickup back on the road. The 85 HP V8 (78 Series) was bored and sleeved 15-20 years ago and has .030 over pistons. It is spotless on the inside and does not burn oil. It still has the honing marks in the sleeves. I think the rebuild only has 300-400 miles on it. Compression is 90 to 110 lbs in all cylinders. I'm running PennGrade 10W-40 partial synthetic oil. It has the high zinc and phosphorus. The stock electric oil pressure gauge in the cluster always shows 20 to 40 PSI when running. Also have an old school mechanical gauge that shows 50 PSI on cold start, then 20 PSI warmed up. Idling at stop lights the mechanical gauge shows 5 PSI while the one in the cluster shows 20 PSI. Any caveats or recommendations?

05-14-2018, 01:34 PM	#2
Bulligen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Elgin Illinois Posts: 740	Re: 85 HP oil pressure? It all sounds real good to me, there always has been a difference through mechanical and electric gauges.

05-14-2018, 02:34 PM	#3
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,395	Re: 85 HP oil pressure? Could have the wrong sending unit. Also I wouldn't use synthetic on a fresh engine.

05-14-2018, 04:09 PM	#4
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 10,155	Re: 85 HP oil pressure? What Ken said above > "Also, I wouldn't use synthetic on a fresh engine."

05-14-2018, 04:22 PM	#5
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,249	Re: 85 HP oil pressure? Sounds ( the pressure #s ) just like the 8BA in my F1 . I been driving it for years ....F F

05-14-2018, 07:07 PM	#6
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,706	Re: 85 HP oil pressure? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Sounds OK , do you have 77E heads? If so you should be closer to 120 lbs in the Cyls. Are you in a cold climate? Those oils are like water, I'd just be using a 20 -50 multi grade mineral oil, changed often. __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

05-14-2018, 08:20 PM	#7
Step-down Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hat City (Danbury CT) Posts: 647	Re: 85 HP oil pressure? My 8BA sounds the same running ford oil filter. Some say if I removed the filter I would get a increase in oil pressure . __________________ "I can't cry as long as I know the Lord has risen "