inri

My 440 stroked to 496 makes its power in the upper RPMs (3500-7000).

While driving around the street at normal operating temps the oil gauge reading is 18 or 19 at idle. Once I touch the gas it moves up accordingly, 30, 40, 50, 60 etc, depending on the speed I go. I have 10w-40 Brad Penn in the engine now.

I've read many other discussions where some people have around 50 or more psi while at idle when their car is warm. I'm thinking perhaps the engine may have been built with slightly larger clearances due to it being a top end engine? Not sure if this is ok or not?

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Kern Dog

My 493 runs at or around 25-30 at idle in gear with 20w50 and 20-25 with 10w30 Valvoline VR1. I have a high volume oil pump. I only just recently read that many engine builders suggest AGAINST using a high volume pump. I've never had an oiling problem though. I corner hard but have yet to have the car on a road course. The long sweeping turns would certainly highlight any problems though!
More oil pressure isn't always better. It may be apples to oranges, but I had a Chevy truck with a 305 that went 370,000 miles before the 305 crapped out. It had mediocre oil pressure from 200,000 miles on, something like 10 PSI at idle and 35 at freeway speeds!

TVLynn

IT should have more than 20 psi at idle. Without a history it is an unknown. Stock oil pump ? Did you check the clearances when it was built ?
MY own experience with a 360 HV oil pump It would run 40-50 psi cold at idle when warm, trashed the bearings - (sucked the pan dry). then at idle it had 20 psi went up to 50 psi when running. After a while the crank broke. I'm guessing because of excess flex in the crank because of bad bearing clearances. I would be concerned enough to drop the pan and take a look.

You could ??? try another oil filter first

inri

TVLYNN,

I don't have the engine's history other than it was recently rebuilt and has less than 500 miles on it. About 1 month ago I changed the break-in oil to Brad Penny 10W-40. I can't tell if the Oil Pump is a high volume or not on the exterior. The engine was painted orange and so was the pump. Are there numbers somewhere on the pump that I could look for or if I take a picture could one tell which style it is? If it happens to be the stock pump what oil pump would you suggest I install? Is an oil change necessary if I replace the pump? Should I stay with 10w-40? LOL at all my questions.

If I was to drop the pan and take a look, what would I look for specifically?

Thanks.

TVLynn

Use plastigauge to check the bearing clearances

Kern Dog

You may want to confirm the oil pressure numbers by testing it with a mechanical guage. You can get them pretty cheap and just leave it under the hood for testing purposes.
The factory oil pressure guage crapped out in my Charger. I was getting ready to go on a 1000 mile trip and didn't want to go without a guage. I got a guage from the NAPA store and mounted it in a pod I made. The only thing I don't like is that if the line cracks, I'll have a stream of hot oil pumping into the car!

inri

Kern Dog,

I am using an aftermarket mechanical gauge now. Works perfect, just a bit concerned.

Drag Pak

I believe 440's are reknowned for "lowish" oil pressure. I wouldn't worry about it! If you are worried, just cut open the oil filter and have a look for debris.