Re: Oil Pressure-Cause for concern???

["Andy Webster" <trunkie@hotmail.com>]

The oil pump provides flow...not pressure.
Pressure is provided by the resistance to the shearing forces applied as oil 
is forced through small spaces, such as between bearing surfaces, through 
filter media and down small galleries. So as bearings wear and the spaces 
get bigger the oil flows through with less restraint,like sucking your 
thickshake (or partially gelatinated non-dairy gum based beverage) through a 
wider straw.
So really thick oil is bad news for a tight tolerance (new) engine and 
really thin oil wont build any pressure in an old worn one.
Andy