Oil Pressure In A 383 Stroker

[Mike81K10]

What should the oil pressure be in my 383 Stroker? It has a High-volume oil pump installed in it.

[bd]

There are too many factors to respond with a charted answer (e.g., oil pressure regulator setting, oil pump internal clearances, bearing and thrust clearances, lubricant viscosity, oil temperature, RPM,...).  A general rule of thumb for all gasoline engines is 10 PSI/1,000 RPM minimum.  What prompted your question?

[Mike81K10]

My engine has an oil pressure of about 65 psi and BluePrint told me it should be 60 to 70 psi and will go down some as the engine is ran. I am not use to oil pressure being that high and my OEM oil pressure gauge only reads 60 psi and is getting pegged out. I got a new AutoMeter Oil Pressure Gauge on order and should get it in a day or two. I am used to my low HP Stock 350s getting about 40 psi and it has made me nervous.

[bd]

You don't have a stock engine anymore.   

If it makes you feel any better, my 350 runs 90 PSI for similar reasons.   

[Shifty]

Be ye not afeared, and go boldly where trails defeat lesser trucks! 

[Mike81K10]

Thanks, I am installing a new Oil Pressure Gauge that goes up to 100 psi, hope to have it installed tomorrow so I can see what my oil pressure really is.

[JohnnyPopper]

In high school, I had a truly 'old skool' teacher, who told stories of pouring molten babbit into Ford 4 model A main bearings.

I was doing my first rebuild on a '57 IL 235, and his advice was to install a few flat washers behind the pressure relief spring in the oil pump.

Also, since I had solid lifters, he advised me to install the cam bearings so they did not supply oil to the hydraulic lifter galleys. "You'll get plenty of oil from the top end, they don't need to be pressurized".

Like you Mike, I was worried when I fired her up, as the needle was pegged at 60 till it warmed up, dropping to 45-50 psi.

I've heard tales of rear main seals blowing out from such pressure levels, but have not personally experienced adverse effects from high pressure.

Will be curious to see where your beast comes in at.