The Ford Barn

rockfla · 11-04-2019, 02:03 PM

I'LL give as much as I know at this time and our intentions. The ole' 39 Merc has some miles on her and when warmed up the oil pressure reads "0". 15 when you first crank it. I am planning on dropping the pan and we have a HV oil pump we can install.....Would that be a wise move at this point early in the game?? Any other suggestions as to possible ways to check/clean/increase potential pressure NOT a fresh rebuild.....original to the point OF Not sure if or when it has ever been rebuilt. NO rebuild tag!!!

Phil Gillespie · 11-04-2019, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfla

I'LL give as much as I know at this time and our intentions. The ole' 39 Merc has some miles on her and when warmed up the oil pressure reads "0". 15 when you first crank it. I am planning on dropping the pan and we have a HV oil pump we can install.....Would that be a wise move at this point early in the game?? Any other suggestions as to possible ways to check/clean/increase potential pressure NOT a fresh rebuild.....original to the point OF Not sure if or when it has ever been rebuilt. NO rebuild tag!!!

Has oil been recently changed? Perhaps fit an oil pressure gauge at engine, check here. Then could also try a heavier grade oil and go from there.
Another oil presure gauge fitted would be my first choice.
Phil NZ

rockfla · 11-04-2019, 03:47 PM

Redoing the carb and fuel filter as the car has sat for most of 2 years so draining the old gas and cleaning and rebuilding the above.....at that point I will add a auxiliary oil pressure gauge at that point and get a "truer" reading when she is back running and report back.

Joe Immler · 11-04-2019, 04:18 PM

My '41 never registered oil pressure above 10. I added after market oil and water temp gauges. OP is always very good.

marko39 · 11-04-2019, 04:36 PM

My 48 F6 would show o psi when hot. Ran it for years hauling firewood . Didn't worry about it as long as engine was quiet. Of coarse it had no exhaust so quiet is relevant.

Talkwrench · 11-04-2019, 07:33 PM

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Sometimes they do read low at idle when HOT. The main thing is that you have good oil pressure when the revs rise. Hes a vid of mine, engine hot in fact I think the fan might be on. 20 lbs is about as low as I get, but its a fresh engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQE_oUExqnE

Bored&Stroked · 11-04-2019, 08:44 PM

With a good mechanical gauge, it should definitely show at lease 10+ lbs at idle - even when hot. I'm not comfortable at all with an engine that shows less than 10 lbs with a good mechanical gauge - if it does, then something is wrong with the oil pump or the bearing clearances. To me, it isn't worth ruining the bearings by NOT knowing what is going on . . . but hey, I'm a bit picky! LOL

Bored&Stroked · 11-04-2019, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfla

I'LL give as much as I know at this time and our intentions. The ole' 39 Merc has some miles on her and when warmed up the oil pressure reads "0". 15 when you first crank it. I am planning on dropping the pan and we have a HV oil pump we can install.....Would that be a wise move at this point early in the game?? Any other suggestions as to possible ways to check/clean/increase potential pressure NOT a fresh rebuild.....original to the point OF Not sure if or when it has ever been rebuilt. NO rebuild tag!!!

You shouldn't need a HV pump. I would just put a 49-53 standard Ford/Merc pump in it and be happy. You can buy the necessary oil pump pickup from Speedway. Always check to see that the pickup is about 1/4" from the bottom of the oil pan - sometimes you need to screw with pan baffles and/or the pickup itself (seems I'm always doing crap like that on just about any engine I build!).

If you can find a real/stock Ford pump in good condition, I'd run it. I've seen a couple recent offshore pumps that had casting issues. Most used pumps are actually good - unless the bushings/shafts are shot.

marko39 · 11-05-2019, 09:21 AM

Also, if it has a oil filter check to see if it has a restrictor fitting installed. Lack of one will reduce your oil pressure .

banditomerc · 11-05-2019, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

Has oil been recently changed? Perhaps fit an oil pressure gauge at engine, check here. Then could also try a heavier grade oil and go from there.
Another oil presure gauge fitted would be my first choice.
Phil NZ

Definitely the first course of action...try a different gauge first!

STEVE O · 11-05-2019, 11:25 AM

Sludge clogging the screen is a high possibly also. Its cost me bearings and cranks for not making sure the oil pump screen is clean.

11-04-2019, 02:03 PM	#1
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,953	Oil pressure issues I'LL give as much as I know at this time and our intentions. The ole' 39 Merc has some miles on her and when warmed up the oil pressure reads "0". 15 when you first crank it. I am planning on dropping the pan and we have a HV oil pump we can install.....Would that be a wise move at this point early in the game?? Any other suggestions as to possible ways to check/clean/increase potential pressure NOT a fresh rebuild.....original to the point OF Not sure if or when it has ever been rebuilt. NO rebuild tag!!!

11-04-2019, 03:47 PM	#3
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,953	Re: Oil pressure issues Redoing the carb and fuel filter as the car has sat for most of 2 years so draining the old gas and cleaning and rebuilding the above.....at that point I will add a auxiliary oil pressure gauge at that point and get a "truer" reading when she is back running and report back.

11-04-2019, 04:18 PM	#4
Joe Immler Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 783	Re: Oil pressure issues My '41 never registered oil pressure above 10. I added after market oil and water temp gauges. OP is always very good.

11-04-2019, 04:36 PM	#5
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Oil pressure issues My 48 F6 would show o psi when hot. Ran it for years hauling firewood . Didn't worry about it as long as engine was quiet. Of coarse it had no exhaust so quiet is relevant.

11-04-2019, 07:33 PM	#6
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: Oil pressure issues Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Sometimes they do read low at idle when HOT. The main thing is that you have good oil pressure when the revs rise. Hes a vid of mine, engine hot in fact I think the fan might be on. 20 lbs is about as low as I get, but its a fresh engine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQE_oUExqnE __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

11-04-2019, 08:44 PM	#7
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,064	Re: Oil pressure issues With a good mechanical gauge, it should definitely show at lease 10+ lbs at idle - even when hot. I'm not comfortable at all with an engine that shows less than 10 lbs with a good mechanical gauge - if it does, then something is wrong with the oil pump or the bearing clearances. To me, it isn't worth ruining the bearings by NOT knowing what is going on . . . but hey, I'm a bit picky! LOL

11-05-2019, 09:21 AM	#9
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Oil pressure issues Also, if it has a oil filter check to see if it has a restrictor fitting installed. Lack of one will reduce your oil pressure .

11-05-2019, 11:25 AM	#11
STEVE O Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: QUICKSBURG VA Posts: 707	Re: Oil pressure issues Sludge clogging the screen is a high possibly also. Its cost me bearings and cranks for not making sure the oil pump screen is clean.