Some oil questions

I have a front sump oil pan, how much oil does my engine take? I thought it was 5, but is it maybe 6 quarts?

Also, what kind of weight oil and oil pressure is normal? I'm running 5 quarts of 10w-30 synthetic VR-1, The pressure is at 50 (idle) on startup and partly on driving. Then when its up at 180 it's down to 25 (idle) That seems pretty low to me, do I need more/thicker oil? I thought the problem was because my intake leaked and water got in my oil, but I have fixed the leak and flushed/cleaned it all short of taking the oil pan off and its the same. Any help would be appreciated.

your are fine with 25 at idle with good oil. dont worry.

Really? It seemed a bit low to me, the maverick's 302 has like 40 at idle. For a big block, how low would you say is "too low"?

25 psi at what rpm? What is it at 2,500 rpm?

Lem Evans wrote:25 psi at what rpm? What is it at 2,500 rpm?

Idle, which is abouuuut 600rpm's. Not sure on 2,500 rpm's, I'll have to check.

Also would like to add, it's a high volume Melling pump.

don't be confused...high volume doesn't mean high pressure.

I doubt that you have an issue but, if it bothers you quit standing on it's neck and idle the thing up......it's not a race car but it aint grandmaw's Country Squire either In the summer time a little thicker oil would not hurt anything and I suspect the bearing clearances are wider that stock and they should be.

Right, I like to make the analogy of displacement vs compression to understand volume vs pressure and yeah it's a lil low but it runs fine there and doesn't have issues so I was just leaving it.
I'll raise it up and check again just to see the difference it makes. My mind is more at ease now

Your idle pressure is not low for 600 rpm and in fact OEM oil pressure specification is in the teens....not as high as 25 psi. 25 psi is about right for an HV pump at 600 engine rpms with a 10W-30 synthetic.

I recommend you increase your engine's idle speed for two reasons: 1) your oil pressure at idle will increase (that should make you sleep better at night), and, 2) if you have a flat tappet camshaft you are far less likely to wipe a lobe with an idle rpm higher than 600.

Paul

Fair enough, I'll raise it to about 850 or so. Maybe that's also why I was having a hesitation issue, the throttle blades were probably too far from the transfer slots and WOT was too much for it coming from such low rpm. Thank you guys for the information, one last question though, what do you feel is an appropriate amount of pressure at 2500rpm's? I'll test that cold and warm and see what it reads. Thanks

Of course I have a little more control due to my external pump but we usually go about 50 max. But that is with a solid roller and a lot of oil control. My car idles about 1800 and I don't ever look at idle pressure.

1,800? Damn you make my 1,100 rpm small block idle look like a chump

Justin my 460 had around 50psi at 900 rpm and around 65 to 70 at 2500.the 552 hot at 1000 rpm is 50psi as soon as I touch the gas it goes to 70psi at 2000rpm.I agree 600 is to low at idle I wouldn't idle it any lower than 800rpm

Were either of those high pressure pumps?

bb429power wrote:Were either of those high pressure pumps?

both have hv pumps but standard pressure

So, I checked it again today.
12psi@1,000rpm's
38psi@2,500rpm's

Reading online, a lot of people have said that this engine takes 6 quarts. I only have 5 in, should I add a quart of thicker oil?

bb429power wrote:So, I checked it again today.
12psi@1,000rpm's
38psi@2,500rpm's

Reading online, a lot of people have said that this engine takes 6 quarts. I only have 5 in, should I add a quart of thicker oil?

It won't hurt ,that's for sure.

bb429power wrote:So, I checked it again today.
12psi@1,000rpm's
38psi@2,500rpm's

Reading online, a lot of people have said that this engine takes 6 quarts. I only have 5 in, should I add a quart of thicker oil?

What's it reading at 8,000 rpm?

Curt wrote:

bb429power wrote:So, I checked it again today.
12psi@1,000rpm's
38psi@2,500rpm's

Reading online, a lot of people have said that this engine takes 6 quarts. I only have 5 in, should I add a quart of thicker oil?

What's it reading at 8,000 rpm?

92psi

56Tbird wrote:

bb429power wrote:So, I checked it again today.
12psi@1,000rpm's
38psi@2,500rpm's

Reading online, a lot of people have said that this engine takes 6 quarts. I only have 5 in, should I add a quart of thicker oil?

It won't hurt ,that's for sure.

Alright, hopefully it doesn't get lower when it's hotter out, right now it's at the first line above 0 on my gauge the next line is 25

Justin , I'd make sure to have plenty in it when you take it upstairs in the RPM's for any extended time. Especially with a front sump pan pulling any G's with a HV pump.

56Tbird wrote:Justin , I'd make sure to have plenty in it when you take it upstairs in the RPM's for any extended time. Especially with a front sump pan pulling any G's with a HV pump.

Only time that will happen is at the track (not very often) and when I stab it on the street taking off. I will keep an eye on it next time I do a WOT pull, when I race next weekend I could aim the gopro towards it and see what it does.

Dump the 10-30 and put 6qts of 20-50 green oil in it.

cool40 wrote:Dump the 10-30 and put 6qts of 20-50 green oil in it.

I'll keep my BLUE OIL thank you very much