I was wondering how hard is it to hook up an oil pressure gauge other than the one on the instrument panel? Also is it perfectly normal for the oil pressure once the car hits about 210 to drop as much as mine does? When cold Im getting about 50psi. I know that the rule is like 6psi per 1k rpms but to drop to about 10-20psi once the car gets hot seems weird. It just seems like thats a hell of a drop. Thanks for the info.

 

6psi is the point where the "check gauges" light comes on on the dash. The recommended oil pressure is more typically 10psi/1000RPM. At what RPM are you seeing 10-20psi? If its at idle, its OK. What viscosity oil are you running?

 

Idle roughly 800rpm according to the tach. Straight idle not in gear it will be just below 20 usually after it gets real hot, idle in gear ive seen it drop to about 10 judging by the gauge. I am currently running PP 5w-30.

 

Adding a mechanical pressure gauge is pretty easy. I used the plugged pressure tap that is right above the oil filter (late-94-97). Screw in a fitting that will accept a -4AN braided SS hose, run the hose into the passenger compartment (I ran it through the hole where the no-longer-required clutch master cylinder was mounted). Gauge is in the center A/C vents, but that won't work for your Camaro.

 

I think I may try that to see what it reads. But you said all looks good as far as how its idling and the pressure? It doesnt seem odd at all?

 

Its definitely low.... but how many miles on the engine? New, you would see 30psi at idle. What is the coolant temperature? Oil temp tracks coolant temp. Temp goes up, viscosity goes down, pressure goes down. I had a header collector leak that was blowing right on the oil filter, heating the oil up, and lowering the oil pressure.

GM accepts anything above 6psi at idle as "OK".

 

112k on the engine. It goes down that low after it hits 210 or higher for a bit before the fans come one. No oil leaks and what not and just switched to the PP from Havoline. Both pretty much with the same pressure. And an AC delco filter

 

I should also have added after I start going down the road again its 40psi or close to it.

 

If your fans are coming on, the coolant is at least 226*F. That's the stock programming.

 

The fans do come on. I just notice the drop after it the gauge reads 210. If I watch the gauge it does go beyond 210 and back down again as the fans cut on and off.

 

I noticed this morning a some oil oozing around the bolt in the oil pan. It has two washers on it now and is on pretty tight. Is there a way to stop this so its not leaking in my driveway? Is there a such thing as too tight to cause dmg or leaking? Sucks too since I just changed the oil yesterday. lol.

 

BTW thanks a lot for the answer on the gauge and such Injuneer I really appreciate it.

 

Do you mean the bolts that attach the oil pan to the engine? Does your oil pan still have the reinforcement straps that go under the bolts, to spread the load uniformly?

Or are you asking about the oil drain plug?

 

Drain plug sorry for the confusion