BillG, You may have serious internal engine wear, but hopefully not. I had
a very similar experience just recently and it turned out to be the sender
was leaking just very slightly - and only when the oil was hot-hot. With a
replaced sender, my SW electric gage now shows 30psi at idle and 55-60psi at
cruise - with the oil completely hot (Castrol 20-50 and Fram PH22A). On the
other hand, if you have a mechanical gage, my happy experience is obviously
not applicable to your problem.
Cheers, Ree Gurley in Silver Spring, MD - 78 Spit FM73070U O
-----Original Message-----
From: BillG <wrgingerich@uswest.net>
To: Spitlist <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, April 10, 2000 17:48 PM
Subject: Oil pressure, emissions, and hood props, (oh, my)
>
>Greetings, oh wise and experienced listers;
>
>Time for me to pick the collective brain again. The oil pressure on my '74
>starts out at 80 psi at idle when cold. As it warms up, the pressure
slowly
>drops to 50-55 at about 3500 rpm. This drop happens over 10-15 miles,
>depending on conditions. During this time the pressure at idle is about 30
>psi. So far, so good. After that distance, however, the pressure falls
>through the floorpans - 10-15 psi at idle, about 35 at cruise. I'm running
>Castrol GTX 20W-50, with a filter from Spitbits. The dipstick (no, not me)
>shows full. The classic diagnosis is excessive clearances in the bearings,
>etc. But in my 30 years of driving, I don't ever remember such a
>precipitous drop in oil pressure. Am I making this more complex than it
>needs to be, or do I "just" rebuild the engine?
>
>Next, does anyone have functional emissions parts out of a '74? I'm trying
>to get my 1FM numbered car as close to stock as possible. I have the anti
>run-on valve, but everything else is missing.
>
>Third, does anyone know where I can get the proper color and gauge wire for
>the body wiring harness? Mine is shot, and I'm short of funds to buy a new
>one. But I can cut, strip, crimp, and solder with the best. I need from
>the dash to the tail lights, including the seatbelts.
>
>Last, I've seen much about hood props lately. I'm not looking for a
>freebie, but if some wants to part with a good one reasonably, I'll buy it.
>
>Thanks, in advance, to all.
>
>Bill Gingerich
>1974 Spitfire
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