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Ralph:
I run Castrol 20W50 and a WIX filter. My oil pressure at 50mph (3500rpm)
is approximately 70 psi, and at idle (1000rpm) is approximately 45-50 psi.
I run a 160 degree thermostat and it reads at 170. The car is a 1960 MGA
1600 Roadster with 116,000 miles on the engine. I'm not sure if this is
good or bad but gibves you an example of how others are running. If this
seems out of line to the rest of the list I would like to hear back from you.
Eric
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>
>I had the A in stop&go traffic for the first time yesterday - definately
>not fun time. I am a bit concerned about the oil pressure - it was up
>around 40-60 in gear and running but out of gear and stopped it dropped
>down to just above 20 (I'd guess about 25). If I "goosed it" a tad -
>the pressure would rise and then fall as it dropped back. My tach is
>nonfunctional so I don't have any rpm data. I'm using straight 30w
>Castrol. The temp was also a tad on the high side (190) compared to
>what I usually run. I'm thinking of upping the idle speed a bit - with
>the idea that the increased rpm would keep the pressure up. At the
>current setting - the idle is fine when it is cold but it was getting a
>bit ragged yesterday. My dad rebuilt (new bearings, rings) the engine
>>15 years ago but has <100 miles on the rebuild. I know nothing about
>the clearances he used. I've been gentle on it for that 100 miles -
>nothing over 50 - and have changed the oil (and filter) 3 times in that
>period.
>
>Question - is this pressure (under the circumstances) normal or
>something to be really concerned about?
> - is upping the idle a cure or addressing the symptom?
>
>I am giving serious consideration to installing an oil cooler in a month
>or so - will this help with the temperature?
>
>Followup - thanks to all who provided input on the horn. After driving
>around last weekend - it works though I am not sure just why. I believe
>the battery had gotten down to the point that it would not operate the
>horn and the weekend driving charged it back up to the point where it is
>now functional.
>
>-thanks much.
>
>ralph cordell
>'59 MGA
>'84 Turbo Regal - the next project
>'87 Grand National
>'96 Roadmonster
>
>
--
' ' ' Great is the truth and mighty above all things;
( o o ) It endureth and is always strong;
<---ooO---(_)---Ooo---> It liveth and conquereth for ever more.
1960 MGA Roadster The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel.
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