ironside82

Hey guys whats up? I wanted some advice and instead of asking my neighbor with the IROC I decided to ask you. Not too long ago I noticed my oil pressure gauge started to fluctuate from normal to low to zero. I'm a bit worried, I've heard from other 5.0 guys in town that it might not be bad at all, that 88's gauges are usually crap. I've heard everything from "Run an engine cleaner", "Oil filter gasket", "Oil Pressure Sender", "Oil pump", "Worn bearings", "Oil pump shaft". I know some of you have ran into this problem before! Is it probable that it might be mechanical or electrical; like the gauge itself and not the actual pressure. Another thing is I know the oil pump doesn't create the pressure but someone told me neither does the oil pressure sender, so what creates the "vaccum" or pressure?

At start up its a zero, on the highway the gauge (stock gauge) jumps back and forth from zero to normal. It stays at normal for a while than suddenly drops back to zero. Another funny thing is that if I hit any rough spots on the road (like a pothole) it makes the needle react. If I'm at normal and hit the "pothole" it drops to zero immediately and vice versa. Am I looking at a quick fix ($50-$150) or am I looking at some big time repairs ($150-????) Any input would be appreciated. Thanks guys...

Twisted

I have your quick fix. Go to Autozone, and buy an Autometer oil gauge. I bet this will fix all your "pressure issues."

Also, I thought that the oil pump forcing oil through all the engines oilways was what created oil pressure. Am I wrong, fellas?

asauer

Yes, you are right. Oil pressure is not as vital to the engine in general as the flow rate is. One thing most people don't realize. You could have a million PSI of pressure and have zero flow and screw your motor over. On the same token, obviously having zero pressure is severely bad for your motor...it takes pressure to get the oil to the top end of the block to keep everything happy.

00limited7

+1 with Twisted Get the aftermarket gauge and it will tell you if your in for some big money repairs. I wouldn't drive it if the pressure is down to zero just to be sure.

hellas85stang

may be leakin past ya sender.. but+2 id say get a mechanicle gauge and check it..if it still falls flat..oil is usually gettin past ya cam bearings and isnt good..main bearing... cam bearings are easy to put in but takes a crap load of time gettin to it by takin off everything..usually a rebuild is called 4..