360 losin' oil pressure?

[pdspeh]

i just bought an 83 j-10 w/ 360 auto for 500 bucks
and after driving for 30 min. the oil pressure started to drop to 0!!!!!!
now the question is what are the possible causes? since all of the gauges don't work
properly except oil pressure and volt and maybe the temp i ca'nt tell.

any advice would be a good start.

------------------
p

[243]

When I first started my 401 after dropping it in the 79, it was 40-60psi at idle. Then, after a few days of driving, it was 20psi at idle and about 30psi at 50mph. It reads 0psi at idle, sometimes 40psi when driving. I suspect it may be the connection or sending unit.

A combination oil pressure and water temp gauge is about 25.00. I plan to install one asap, especially before I start commuting 60mi round trip daily.

I will keep the factory gauges hooked up so I can become familiar with the readout compared to the aftermarket gauges.

I would like to install a hobbs switch which will kill the motor if oil pressure drops below 10-20psi. I don't know exactly how to do this but I read about the device when I was driving a 5.0 Mustang.



------------------
243

79 Wagoneer 401/T400/QT
76 Wagoneer (parts car)
99 Dodge Ram TD

cummins_isb@hotmail.com

[pdspeh]

goes to 80 psi @ start drops to 45-50 psi then when the engine heats up aftewr 30 min driving drops to 0 steadily.....but if i keep it rollin' it wil stabilize ...any more ideas?

------------------
p
1983 j-10 360


[This message has been edited by pdspeh (edited May 08, 2001).]

[Tiger Shark]

I just had a switch replaced in my sending unit because the oil presure guage was reading backwards. I had this done when i dropped the new block in. Now it reads close to 60-80 when at cold idle. Once she warms up it reads like 10-20 at idle and up to 45 at highway speeds.
hope this helps.

------------------
89 Grand Wagoneer
Mostly stock
Reman. 360
213,000 or so miles

[pdspeh]

thanks
this advice makes me feel better.
i will check the switch

------------------
p

[joe]

In order of likelyhood:
Seneding unit, gauge, worn cam bearings, worn main bearings.

------------------
Regards,
-joe
63 2-dr Wag, 73 J-4000, 82 CJ-8