boogerschnot

I just bought a 69 Grande and the oil pressure guage isnt climbing past the first notch on the face.. I am running 10w-40 and just want to know how hard it would be to pull the pump and replace it. OR if I can check the pressure some otherway to rule out the problem being the guage.. The car runs strong and sounds perfect but it has been sitting for almost 3 years and I dont want to risk it.. What could cause it to read so low..
Any help is appreciated..

-Justin

Brandontyler65

well with my experiance with factory gauges they suck i would get an aftermarket gauge and run it but if you just wanna check it go to your local autoparts store and get a manual oil pressure gauge and connect it it will be the most accurate

Soaring

Oil pumps usually either work or they don't work. However, if you get a low reading from a good gauge, then you just pull the crossmember and oil pan and you will see the pump. It is attached with two little bolts. Piece of cake to replace.

scott_m_mil

I agree try a differenty guage first. And if you have low pressure the pump is most likely not the cause.

Mustang Dad

This is a 68 engine right? Has it ever been rebuilt before? Oil pumps are nothing more than a 5 lobed rotor inside a 6 lobed housing. They can and do wear out over time. The rotor and housing clearances start to open up and the pump isnt as effective as it was when new. The oil pressure tap will be on the side of the block somewhere, attach a direct reading gage at the point usinga new gage. A low reading at this point will tell one of two things. Either the pump is in fact worn beyond limits or your bearings are starting to wearout. If the reading is low, replace the pump and give it another shot. If the pressure is still low, then your going to have to think about bearings. Remember, a pump only puts out flow....clearances within the engine cause pressure......i.e. big clearances=low pressure and tight clearance=high prressure.

boogerschnot

The Motor/ Transmission were rebuilt about 5 years ago (suposedly) ,, it runs like it was,, but about a year after the guy rebuilt the motor he parked it and it didnt move for 3 years.. I will try picking up a new guage or manual guage to check it out.

OhioMachIRunner69

I was gonna suggest after checking the pressure with a different gauge it may be time for a rebuild, but since you say it was rebuilt then the most likely answer is that it is a gauge problem. After checking the gauge, Mustang Dad gave good advice. Start with the pump...after that, if it is still reading low, it is probably a bearing issue. Good luck.