Oil pressure

[TheNewKidinSkool]

Hello all you knowledgeable friends!
I finally got my skoolie and have begun starting the transition of remodeling it. It's a 93' Gmc Bluebird with a 366 (long block???) I'm still trying to assess what I have.

So to start off, I'm curious if having low oil pressure is good or bad, my gauge is reading 20 out of 100.

Thanks in advance to anyone that has time to help.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

20 at idle? Or 20 at higher RPM? Is this engine (oil) cold or at operating temperature? In any event I would not expect to see more than 60, cold, at higher RPM, and it'll drop as the engine and oil warm up. 20 at idle and 30-40 at RPM is a reasonable range.



When was the oil and filter last changed?

[TheNewKidinSkool]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

20 at idle? Or 20 at higher RPM? Is this engine (oil) cold or at operating temperature? In any event I would not expect to see more than 60, cold, at higher RPM, and it'll drop as the engine and oil warm up. 20 at idle and 30-40 at RPM is a reasonable range.



When was the oil and filter last changed?

I don't have any papers for the last oil change or filter, so best I get it done. I'm at 20 when idle from start up, I'll be driving the bus a good hour today and will document any fluctuations on the gauges.

Thanks for the help Brad.

[TheNewKidinSkool]

Oil pressure held at around 30psi driving a good hour.

[Booyah45828]

20 at idle is likely fine. I was told years ago that 10psi/1000rpm is a minimum for a good engine, but I know of engines that have less then that, and although they are tired, they're still running fine.

Just be sure to check it when the oil is hot. That's when the oil will be thinnest and will tell you the most.

[peteg59]

Welcome to the site.

Your oil pressure is fairly normal, and should not be a problem. A change of oil and oil filter is a good idea, since you don't have info on it's last change.

The 366 engine is known as a "Big Block" by GM. Not a real high horsepower mill, but a dependable one if not driven hard and put away wet!

Good luck, and post pics if you can...