Oil pressure questions

[FordPrefect]

While I wait for suppliers to get back to me on the e-ring for the choke, I guess I can focus on other things, like oil pressure.

First, the car doesn't idle correctly all the time what with the choke on the fritz, but when the revs are high, the oil pressure seems to climb past middle of the gauge as well. Oil seems to find it's way into the air filter, and some onto the exhaust manifold.

I plan on changing the oil and filter as well, are there any other places I ought to look into to get the pressure looking normal? I put a new sending unit in, so I believe it may be halfway reliable, but who knows.

The pressure was a bit low before tightening valve covers and replacing oil filler cap, and now seems way too high (assuming gauge is correct).

[FordPrefect]

Forgive the dp, but on a side note, what oil/air filters do you all like for Spiders? Are IAP's high performance filters worth it?

[mdrburchette]

It's not unusual for the oil pressure to seem high, especially while driving or revving. The factory manual for my 1608 says the oil pressure should be between 65 and 85 psi but not to be concerned if it drops to 0 while idling if the oil pressure light doesn't come on. I've hooked a mechanical gauge to mine out of curiosity and it did read up to 85 psi.
How much oil are you finding in your air filter housing? Have you serviced you cyclonic trap to make sure it's not clogged? As far as oil on the exhaust manifold, you may have a distributor shaft gasket failing or a manifold stud that needs sealed.

As far as filters for my car, I usually get them from our normal vendors, but I do use an AC-Delco PF13 oil filter on occasion.

[So Cal Mark]

tightening gaskets has nothing to do with oil pressure; pressure is created when the oil is forced through the clearances on the main and rod bearings

[mbouse]

1. stock oil pressure gauges are notoriously inaccurate. the best you'll be able to rely on with a veglia oil pressure gauge is an approximation.
2. oil on the exhaust manifold is most likely a failing distributor seal or a loose exhaust manifold stud, or possibly a loose cam cover/bad cam cover gasket. fixing this leak won't change your reading at the gauge.
3. oil in the air filter is possibly due to a clogged cyclonic trap. cleaning this trap and replacing the hoses won't change the reading at the gauge.
4. IAP "performance" air filters? are you referring to their SPORT AIR CLEANER for over $75/each? you can get those same breather kits for under $25/each at http://www.piercemanifolds.com or http://www.webercarbsdirect.com

i added a stock oil pressure gauge to my '80, deleting the clock. i went thru three different sending units from three different suppliers until i actually got one to make the gauge read in the center of the gauge. buying a replacement sender does not guaruntee accuracy in this particular case is all i am saying.

[launieg]

Mike, can you tell us what gauge finally worked for you? I want to add one. Thanks.

[joelbert2k]

I could use that info as well. Even an inaccurate pressure gauge has got to be better than that noisy, clouded up clock.

Joel

[adrians]

Mike, where did you get the sender unit from, what make, what model ! !

Is it a straight replacement for the sender unit.

[mbouse]

yeah, i figured since i hada clock built into the radio, i did not need a Veglia clock, so i swapped in a stock Veglia oil pressure gauge... i still use the stock 1980 "idiot" light in addition to the 1974 stock oil pressure gauge.

i ended up with a http://www.Baylessfiat.com supplied sending unit. the stock '74 sender did not work, the Vick Auto sender made the gauge read at the very bottom of the scale, and i do not recall why i did not use the IAP sender i bought.

the process to go from a clock to a gauge in a dash that is not wired for an oil gauge is fairly tedious, but simple. i'd question if it is worth the effort for the lack of accuracy received....but, i too like the look of the swinging needle more than the passing of time.

in case you need help adding an oil pressure gauge where one does not exist (thanks to Denise):
http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com/T ... egauge.pdf

I know that Midwest124 and Bruce's carry used gauges. and, VDO makes gauges that look similar with black faces and white needles

[Tappy]

if you need to replace that seal on your dizzy , iap has a nice tutoral video for it , even i could do it

http://www.international-auto.com/video ... July07.flv