Oil Pressure

[Tazman]

When I start my truck up the oil pressure is at 30 psi.Yet when I go thirty miles and it is running about 180 degrees the psi is 10 to 12 at idle.It is supposed to be 40 psi at 2000 rpm's but it only gets to about 37psi. I am wondering about the life of the oil pump.At 175,000 miles could be going out?Thanks

[Fairlane514]

What oil are you using?   At 175,000 you could be suffering from bearing wear causing the pressure to be lower. If you need to use the truck before you can rebuild the motor, try some 20W50.

Oil pump could also be a cheap fix, drop the pan and replace it. 

It may also be possible your gauge is reading incorrectly. Try hooking up a mechanical gauge and see if you get the same reading.

[9511234]

I would guess your sending unit might be out.

They have a tendency to blow put on the electric side.

Fun part is getting to it.  There's a boss sticking up and if you just have a gauge there will be a round cylindrical deal with a wire sticking out the back of it.  It is behind your distributor and darn near wedged between the intake and the firewall.

I replaced mine when it was doing similar thing and all is well.

[bobcooter]

Is your idle set correctly? Honestly, for a 350 with 175000 miles on it, I don't think it's too bad what you described. I'd drive it and just keep the oil changed and maybe add some STP. No telling how long it will last. Just my 2cents....