Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

What is a good acceptable oil pressure when the car is idling after the engine is warmed up?

What I've been told is anywhere from 20-30 lbs. It seems when idling correctly they do so fairly slow and effortless so the 20-30 lbs. looks & feels right but what do i know.

20-30 psi at hot idle sounds like more than adequate but oil pressure at this condition is really not the most useful indicator of engine oiling condition - pressure with a hot engine at normal road speeds is far more significant.

To illustrate the point, here's a quote from a prewar 9-main bearing Packard senior owner's manual: The gauge will usually show in the neighborhood of 25 to 55 lbs of pressure at normal driving speeds with a pressure of 2 lbs or more when the motor is idling and the oil is warm; not saying that all Packard engines have the same characteristics but just trying to show that pressures at road speed are more reflective of what's important.

My 54 Clipper runs about 25 to 30 pounds of oil pressure when driving. I am concerned that this is a little low. I am using Rotella 15w40 as my oil of choice.