I've heard arguements both ways on the use of high pressure and low pressure oil pumps. Anybody want to post their ideas...one way or the other?
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Dick Z
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RE: High Pressure vs Low Pressure
by 31aman
Posted: 03/27/2001 21:58 EST
Dick, the only info I can pass on is what I was told by Kim at Precision Machine in Canton many years ago. The high pressure oil pump is good for solid lifters but will possibly do damage to a hydrolic lifter by breaking the wire retainers and blowing the top off the lifter. He advised using a high volume low press or standard Melling pump in my '66 Big Block Vette. It always carries 50 to 60 lbs. press. A guy told me once it only takes 20 P.S.I. to float a bearing. Rick the 31 "A" Man
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Rick
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RE: High Pressure vs Low Pressure
by buildin32
Posted: 03/27/2001 23:41 EST
I always thought that the higher the pressure the better.
Odd thing is, the GM spec. for oil pressure at 1000 rpm on a vortec is 6 psi.
Hmmmm.....
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Jeff Reid
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RE: High Pressure vs Low Pressure
by Bib_Overalls
Posted: 03/28/2001 00:36 EST
High pressure pumps are hard on cam/distributor gears. Edelbrock, for example, recommends a stock pump with their Performer Plus cam. A high volume after market oil pump with the regular pressure relief spring should be adequate in a street driven car. It takes horse power to spin an oil pump. The higher the pressure, the more power it takes. Late model engines use the lowest possible pressure to reduce drag and provide the best efficiency. M2C
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An Old California Rodder
Hiding Out in the Ozarks
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RE: High Pressure vs Low Pressure
by Rochie
Posted: 03/28/2001 10:58 EST
Dick, Happy Birthday to you and Rob, and NO you won't get any sympathy from the frozen north either. High vs Low pressure. Rule of thumb 10PSI per 1000 RPM. So at 1000 RPM you should have at least 10PSI oil pressure. The high volume low (read Regular) pressure pump is the way to go.
Rochie
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RE: High Pressure vs Low Pressure
by Fred
Posted: 03/29/2001 11:01 EST
Compare Dino oil to synthetic and see which one has the lowest pressure at idle. In all my vehicles, I use Mobile one and at a hot idle, the pressure is low even tho it's still recommended. Still using Dino oil in my roadster until the engine is broken in and also installed a melling high volume oil pump in the 229 v-6. At one point, after running for some time, the right bank started smoking a bit and Cruzr32 and I were wondering if there was too much oil buildup inside the valve cover and it couldn't return to the pan quick enough...there was a spring included with the pump that would cghange it to a "normal" pump but...... Fred
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Fred P.
