I just fired my Z28 for the first time since I put her away in november. Nomrally when I start it up cold, the oil pressure is around 60psi. Today, when I started her up it read exactly 40psi. I gave it a little gas, but it wouldn't go any higher.

The engine has 76K miles on it, what are the chances that my motor has a spun bearing or something. I'm hoping it's jus the gauge/pressure sensor. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

My Z28 has always carried 40-50 psi even when cold. Every LT1 I have seen has been this way.

 

Hmmm...My '95 LT1 Z28 jumps up close to the 60 (3/4) mark on the gauge during every cold start...After fully-warmed up, it reads right at 20psi (1/4) during a hot idle...

How does your car run? What does the gauge show after it has been fully-warmed up? Does it drop down into the red or show very little pressure? It should be pretty obvious if you have a spun bearing problem...

But if the car runs and sounds perfect, it could just be the sending unit...

Mike

 

Change the sending unit. It's on the back of the intake manifold. Those things can go bad at the blink of the eye, at least in my experience.

Jason

 

I finally got to drive it around today. Once it's warmed up, it never goes above 20psi, although I was being very gentle. I didn't hear any funny noises, other than the usual LT4 rocker clatter. I'm thinking the sender might be going out on it, but I'm gonna take it up to a shop and have them hook up a mechanical gauge.

OK, time for best case/worst case.....if it turns out to be the sender, how much is it to replace (and what't the part #?)

If the worst turns out to be true and the motor is on it's way out, how cheaply can it be rebuilt for?