Oil pressure low-need advice

[Mud Thrasher]

When i crank the jeep it goes to around 45 psi on the gauge. After it warms up really good the pressure drops to next to nothing when sitting at a red light at idle. As I accelerate it picks back up. I would say that the gauge is bad but when it drops down low upon acceleration you can hear it rattling really good until the pressure picks back up. I know that I have oil leaks on the motor. Valve covers and probably the intake. What is going on with this thing. I know that when cold it will have more pressure and once it warms up the pressure drops but the rattling bothers me. I did a comp check and it checked out fine dry. The lowest one was 120.

[andy d]

there are a few things you could try. drop the pan and clean out the pick up screen. remove the oilpump cover plate and grind out the depressions from the driven gear. pack the gears in vaseline to prime the pump. pray that thats the trouble. because the next steps are exspensive

[76quadtrac]

Been there done that! I had the same problem! I ended up changing the oil pressure sending unit and the fluxuations stopped but it shows 40 psi when its cold and drops to 20 psi after it warms up. I was told that a 350 can operate on 8 psi. I might end up replacing the external oil pump. It also will show low pressure if the oil pump is leaking, worn main bearings, plugged line, plugged pick up screen, faulty gauge. I recomend hooking an external gauge and drive around and monitor pressure, It will tell you alot. Good luck.

camo'ed 76 quad trac 401

[Max Power]

Hola,

I had the exact same problem, I replaced the oil pump and sanded down the bottom plate (the one that basically holds the oil pump in place) smooth again with some superfine emory cloth. And voila oil pressure again! I wish I woulda done it sooner, I think I may have damaged my engine by sitting at a stoplight @ 0 oil pressure for too long. Good luck!

[Mud Thrasher]

That sounds like what I'm gonna do. I'm going this weekend and getting a mechanical gauge. That way i get a true reading. But the motor is telling me whats happening. I'll get me a new pump and change the fluid and filter and put some treatment in it and drop the pan and check it out. Thanks guys.