Kiddos

Hello all, I've been reading forum after forum and I think I found my home. I'll get right to it. '79 Camaro RS with a '67 327 SBC. Just recently installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge and noticed very low oil pressure. It might be normal with its age but I need outside help. Cold idle I see ~30lbs then hot idle drops to about ~22lbs ball park. Increases to about ~46lbs at 4500 rpms. Now cruising at 3200 rpms I get about a little under 30lbs but it doesn't go any higher or climb with rpms. I typically shift around 3k - 3500 rpms but it concerns me that it won't go higher than 30. I went through the basics already: checked the oil - full, changed the oil and filter, using 20w-50 high milage Castrol and ACDelco spin on filter. I could be over reacting due to the engines old age and questionable miles, but what should I do? Thoughts, suggestions or any input would be great. Got me biting nails on this one.

73shark

Welcome to the forum. You didn't say how many miles you had on the engine but if it is considerable, the low oil pressure might be due to excessive bearing clearances.

Kiddos

That's what I am thinking. Miles are unknown to me and previous owner. Would it cheaper to invest in a rebuild or a re-man crate engine from summit or jegs?

73shark

Cheaper than what. Replacement engine is probably going to run a couple of thousand dollars. Plus the cost of installation.

While I'm not a believer in chemical repairs for an engine, I have had good luck with oil additive called Restore on older engines.

Kiddos

Well, all is semi better now. It's been awfully warm out and the 5W-30 seemed a bit thin. Put some 20W-50 and it's working like a charm. Does anyone know if the lower grille area is supposed to be open for air flow or closed off?

73shark

Is the '79 a bottom breather like the 68-82 Corvettes?

Did you try Restore?

sledge.impy

My 1994 lt1 is around 16-19 psi when hot at 600 rpm idle
and max of 40 at WOT... (42 when fresh M1 5w30).

If you can't hear any bearings screaming in pain, then it should be okay - right?

(I did have an old gm 87 2.8l FI with 160,000+ miles where I mixed in massive concoctions of oil.. 1 bottle kendall straight 70w, 2 quarts castrol 20w50, 1-2 quarts 10w40, and remaining 5w30... it helped until I pulled it)...

langsteve

Agreed. It should be fine if there is no engine noise. I own a 95 camaro (12 years ownership now) oil pressure always floating and low. It now has 276K miles and still runs like a champ. I have known other camaros to also have low oil pressure and everything be okay. Just weird creatures!

Kiddos

Thank you all for your input. The lower grille area is closed off but it looks stock ish. Runs warm at idle and cruising like not enough air. The engine does make noise. The left bank valves need to be adjusted. How do you adjust the valves running? I have the clips that divert the oil on the rockers. Still not mess free. Lol

73shark

With the engine idling, you back off on the rocker arm adjustment nut until it starts clicking and then you tighten it down three quarters to one turn and that valve is adjusted. Repeat on the other 15 valves. You need to tighten down slowly as it will hold the valve open slightly as you're tightening it down and the engine might stall.