Working Gauge, New Sender, NO OIL PRESSURE?

[duffontap]

The needle on my oil pressure gauge has never budged in the time I've owned the truck. I have removed the rocker cover with the engine running a few times to make sure the top end is getting lots of oil (it is), so I just figured my sender didn't work.

Today I installed a brand new sender and, after testing the gauge and finding it worked, I connected the lead to the new sender, started the engine, increased the RPMs with the fast idle, and watched the needle slowly climb and stop 1/4" below the 'L' on the gauge! I'll order a tester so I can put an actual number behind my oil pressure, but I'm wondering:

Is it possible that my great running DD, which starts easy, runs strong, and has ample oil at the rockers, has nearly no oil pressure? I do know that the valve stem seals need to be replaced, but that shouldn't make a difference should it?

 

[akeyzoo]

How did you verify the gauge works? Sounds like the issue to me...

 

[duffontap]

How did you verify the gauge works? Sounds like the issue to me...

I tested it by grounding the lead and got full needle deflection.

 

[msapers]

Pick up a cheap auto parts store mechanical oil pressure gauge and see if the engine's got good pressure. If so, then you can go back and diagnose the electrics.

 

[texfj40]

A word from someone who has been there........check to MAKE SURE YOUR DISTRIBUTOR IS FULLY SEATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And triple check it......and do that before you run your engine again! Without a fully seated distributor, you will surely freeze up your engine...no oil pressure.

 

[duffontap]

A word from someone who has been there........check to MAKE SURE YOUR DISTRIBUTOR IS FULLY SEATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And triple check it......and do that before you run your engine again! Without a fully seated distributor, you will surely freeze up your engine...no oil pressure.

Yikes. I'll check that straight away. Do you know how that caused the drop in pressure?

msapers, I just finished checking and of my three local parts stores, two do not carry a mechanical oil pressure tester of any kind, and one has nothing under $70! It looks like it's time to go to a local shop and ask to rent one.

 

[Pighead]

Is it possible that my great running DD, which starts easy, runs strong, and has ample oil at the rockers, has nearly no oil pressure? /QUOTE]

It is possible. I've heard of Fs running for long periods with very low oil pressure.
More likely is a malfunctioning gauge.

 

[duffontap]

Pick up a cheap auto parts store mechanical oil pressure gauge and see if the engine's got good pressure. If so, then you can go back and diagnose the electrics.

I finally get what you're saying. Buy a cheap mechanical gauge--not a tester per se.

Does anyone know what kind of fitting I need? Most gauges I see come with 1/4" NPT thread fittings.

The help is very much appreciated!!

JD

 

[msapers]

Yep, cheap mechanical gauge. Most should come with a variety of fittings/adapters.

 

[1911]

Yikes. I'll check that straight away. Do you know how that caused the drop in pressure?

The distributor shaft is the only thing that turns the oil pump. But you already said that you are getting oil to the top end, so your distributor is fully seated and engaged in the oil pump or you wouldn't see any oil at all.