The Ford Barn

leadpot · 04-07-2012, 07:08 PM

Hooked an oil pressure guage to my stock 29 tudor today. Know the A's oil pressure is fairly low but sufficient. After the installation I started it up cold & was quite pleased to see about 7lbs with a fast idle. Took it for a drive & within a half of a mile it dropped to zero. Even at 50 mph it was still zero. Is this normal or any cause for concern?

ctlikon0712 · 04-07-2012, 07:40 PM

Mine is the same and that is normal. See this older thread for a confirmation. If you kit came with a small 1/8" od line try replacing it with adapters to go to a 1/8" ID copper or Steel braded and the gage will read with better resolution. Some say copper is a bad idea but that's up to you. Good luck!
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...w+oil+pressure

IrishHills · 04-07-2012, 07:45 PM

It wouldn't have been a concern if you hadn't installed the gage.

yea I know, not much help.

Paul from Maine · 04-07-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadpot

Hooked an oil pressure guage to my stock 29 tudor today. Know the A's oil pressure is fairly low but sufficient. After the installation I started it up cold & was quite pleased to see about 7lbs with a fast idle. Took it for a drive & within a half of a mile it dropped to zero. Even at 50 mph it was still zero. Is this normal or any cause for concern?

If the lack of oil pressure is making you nervous, switch to a synthetic oil. Now that I have changed from straight 30 weight to Mobil 1, I show a pound or two of pressure when hot. Before when hot, I only saw oil pressure above thirtyfive mph. As the bearings don't need pressure, just flow, your 7 lbs at start up show everything is working fine.

glenn in camino · 04-07-2012, 08:07 PM

That guage probably raises your blood pressure more than it helps your engine.

Aerocraft · 04-07-2012, 08:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Remember, the oil system is not "capped" and is high volume, low pressure. I describe the system as a oil delivery, not a pressure system. There is no direct link in the system to the main or camshaft bearings, it is all gravity feed from the valve chamber. If you are concerned about having enough oil flowing through the system, take off the side casting covering the right side of the cam gear and run the engine. A few of us in our local club recently did that. Be prepared for a flood.

I recently bought a Model A powered Pietenpol airplane that had an engine "condemned" by an aviation mechanic due to the engine having "lost" oil pressure when hot in addition to having several stuck valves. The owner would not believe me when I explained that no oil pressure is OK. As Glenn said, don't worry about oil pressure!

Gar Williams

leadpot · 04-07-2012, 10:19 PM

Thanks for all the comments especially the one from Mr Bill. Confirms what I suspected since there has been no problem with the car. Did use 1/8" copper line & why is this a bad idea? Figured copper would be better than a plastic line that could easily melt.

Thanks Again,

ctlikon0712 · 04-07-2012, 10:40 PM

Some say the copper line will fatigue from vibration and heat over time and crack. That is why its not used on Brake or Fuel lines. I think its better than the Plastic or nylon one that comes with the kit.

RHD · 04-08-2012, 12:06 AM

It is best not to have an oil pressure gauge at all. What you don't know want worry you.

pooch · 04-08-2012, 03:24 AM

Yeh, what the eye don't see the heart don't grieve about.....

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 04-08-2012, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooch

Yeh, what the eye don't see the heart don't grieve about.....

Great analogy!!

04-07-2012, 07:08 PM	#1
leadpot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Blanchester, Ohio Posts: 109	No Pressure to answer this question. Hooked an oil pressure guage to my stock 29 tudor today. Know the A's oil pressure is fairly low but sufficient. After the installation I started it up cold & was quite pleased to see about 7lbs with a fast idle. Took it for a drive & within a half of a mile it dropped to zero. Even at 50 mph it was still zero. Is this normal or any cause for concern?

04-07-2012, 07:40 PM	#2
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. Mine is the same and that is normal. See this older thread for a confirmation. If you kit came with a small 1/8" od line try replacing it with adapters to go to a 1/8" ID copper or Steel braded and the gage will read with better resolution. Some say copper is a bad idea but that's up to you. Good luck! https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...w+oil+pressure __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

04-07-2012, 07:45 PM	#3
IrishHills Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brooklyn, Michigan "Home of M.I.S." Posts: 398	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. It wouldn't have been a concern if you hadn't installed the gage. yea I know, not much help.

04-07-2012, 08:07 PM	#5
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. That guage probably raises your blood pressure more than it helps your engine.

04-07-2012, 08:13 PM	#6
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Remember, the oil system is not "capped" and is high volume, low pressure. I describe the system as a oil delivery, not a pressure system. There is no direct link in the system to the main or camshaft bearings, it is all gravity feed from the valve chamber. If you are concerned about having enough oil flowing through the system, take off the side casting covering the right side of the cam gear and run the engine. A few of us in our local club recently did that. Be prepared for a flood. I recently bought a Model A powered Pietenpol airplane that had an engine "condemned" by an aviation mechanic due to the engine having "lost" oil pressure when hot in addition to having several stuck valves. The owner would not believe me when I explained that no oil pressure is OK. As Glenn said, don't worry about oil pressure! Gar Williams

04-07-2012, 10:19 PM	#7
leadpot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Blanchester, Ohio Posts: 109	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. Thanks for all the comments especially the one from Mr Bill. Confirms what I suspected since there has been no problem with the car. Did use 1/8" copper line & why is this a bad idea? Figured copper would be better than a plastic line that could easily melt. Thanks Again,

04-07-2012, 10:40 PM	#8
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. Some say the copper line will fatigue from vibration and heat over time and crack. That is why its not used on Brake or Fuel lines. I think its better than the Plastic or nylon one that comes with the kit. __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

04-08-2012, 12:06 AM	#9
RHD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 670	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. It is best not to have an oil pressure gauge at all. What you don't know want worry you. __________________ R.H.D. Author of Model 'A' Ford technical manuals. Supplier of good original RHD parts.

04-08-2012, 03:24 AM	#10
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: No Pressure to answer this question. Yeh, what the eye don't see the heart don't grieve about.....