Oil pressure affected by oil leak

[Peter A]

I have a fairly regular oil leak from the back of the pan in my 88 wag, say 1 drip every 10-20 sec. or so while running. I am getting ready to do the pan gasket, main seal, and oil pump rebuild and was wondering if the pan leak can be responsable for lowering the oil pressure any. I just checked the pressure with a mech gauge and get 13 psi at hot idle and 45 psi when running. I have 175,000 miles, and I know that these pressures are probably average for an old 360, but I would like to get as much as I can to put off the rebuild.

[andy d]

praps a little effect on the pressure. imho, those #s are pretty good for a 360 of any age. one cloud how ever,check the crank for end play. excessive end play will hammer out a new seal in short order

[Peter A]

Thanks, is it OK to measure end play with the motor connected to the tranny using a dial indicator and a prybar?

[Bob Barry]

Yup, that's how you'd check it. When you pull the rear main cap to replace the rear main seal, you might lay some plastigage across the bearing-shell and torque it down again, remove it and see what kind of clearance you have on your rear bearing. Then you can figure whether or not you are in need of a rebuild.

Those are good pressures, especially for that many miles.