Oil pressure

[Drbrown]

Old Henry .... Gauge adjustment to simulate after-market gauge readings :

I was fortunate to have a spare set of dash gauges to practice on.

Very gently slide the face of the gauge upward and off the gauge pod. Although it can be straightened, avoid bending the frail aluminum needle indicator. You will see two vertical adjusting arms .... one on right, one on left, each with a three or four saw-tooth edge positioned over a hole in the plate behind them.

The right-hand vertical adjusting arm appears to be for positioning the base of the needle indicator to the zero "0" position. Factory set, this probably doesn't need adjustment.

The left-hand vertical adjusting arm sets the oil pressure reading. It's an upside-down copper "U" shaped tension piece, the outer part of which is stationary and wrapped with the wire "heating" element. (Note: Be extremely careful not to touch any of these frail wires inside the meter ... its a very hard and delicate job to re-solder them) To adjust the indicator needle, and with all gauge wires connected and engine running while cold and under its maximum oil pressure, inset a small straight-blade screw driver into the hole to engage the saw-teeth to move the base of the arm. Pry on the saw-teeth, gently and slowly shifting the indicator base (usually to reduce the tension within the arm). I adjusted mine to nearly match the max oil pressure showing on the aftermarket gauge. In normal operation the gauge is now pretty accurate in the full range of the dial. Pressure at idle remains an approximation and I would only be concerned if that was registering zero.

The fuel and temp gauges are similar in design and I've adjusted them in similar fashion.

[G.M.]

Try some Castrol 20/50 and see what that does for the oil pressure. G.M.

[Kahuna]

I use a "long" style early pump with the relief valve attached. I installed a 1/16' shim into the relief valve. Then I made the front relief valve adjustable and set max pressure at
62 #.
Cold startup is 55#.
Hot idle is 25#.
2000 rpm is 35#.
Correct clearances are a must.

[russcc]

Off topic, forgot who "what me worry" was.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by russcc

Off topic, forgot who "what me worry" was.

Alfred E. Neuman......Mad Mag. DD

[miwi]

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I have a French Flathead in my F1. When it is cold and when it is hot standard gauge shows 30. During idle when Cold it goes down to 20-30, when hot down to 10-15. it seems to be normal when I read all these posting. I think that i will install a mechanical gauge

[Ol' Ron]

Sometimes my stupid factor gets the best of me, especially if I'm lazy. I suggest you loosen the plug under the oil pressure sending unit. then when the engine is hot have someone "Pull The plug". I did this once and the hot oil shot across the drive way. Got some in my hair aswell. My friends Ardun hasn't had any oil pressure for 20 years at idle.

[mfirth]

Also, what do we consider idle speed to be? My fresh 8BA with new Mellings pump is 9 lbs at 600 rpm and 15 lbs at 850 rpm. 15 w 40 Valvoline oil 185 temp. m

[Drbrown]

Assuming a stock set-up, '46-'47 Service Bulletins say set idle at 500 rpm. I suspect all/most flatties would be same or similar.