Ideal oil pressure

[WBLskier]

I finally it the boat in last night. Like every spring I worry I screwed something up. I have a 98 malibu echelon with the monsoon 325 hp efi engine. Does anyone know what the ideal range is for oil pressure? It was running at about 65 or even a little higher. That seems higher than I recall it being but who knows. It ran like a top so no indication of any problems. Can anyone set my mind at ease? Thanks.

[boarditup]

Depends upon engine rpm. Can be as low as 20 and as high as 80. 40-70 for skiing speeds is typical. You are more concerned with low oil pressure.

[Jody_Seal]

I don't know how many times I have had to hook up a known reasonably accurate gauge on an engine because either the oil pressure seemed off or a water temp gauge seemed weird. bottom line is that the analog gauge on the dash is just that a gauge, Not an instrument. I keep a mechanical oil pressure test set up to check oil pressure under these type of issues also a quality water temp gauge on a remote gauge panel. The oil pressure alarm switch is set at 6 psi (? I believe ), idle I like to see at least 15 psi 20 is better. WOT 45-60 psi depending on the engine max rpm. I have seen many an old campaigner idle at 8-10 psi,30 psi at ski speeds and run like a champ!

[WBLskier]

Jody. Thanks. If the gauge turns out to be right does 65 sound like a problem?

[ForrestGump]

@WBLskier It could also be the sender, in addition to the gauge.

 

Rule of thumb for most small blocks chevy is 15-30psi at idle with an additional 10psi per 1000 rpm.

[WBLskier]

I only ran it for 10 minutes and the engine was cold and the water temp is in the high 30's. I wonder if it was just cold and thick?

[DooSPX]

When the engine/oil is cold, you will see an average of10-15 psi higher then when up to operating temp. Every engine I have built from old sbc to new LSx are the same.

[DooSPX]

heck, the sbf in my 91 MC idles at 40 even when hot. Has since new. 15W 50 Rotella with a zinc additive.