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Jan 21st, 2020
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 ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 777
OP
Jack of all Trades, Master of None
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I know that these old engines are notorious for being able to run with low oil pressure but my question is how low is too low. I’ve finally had a chance to put a few miles on my ‘52 Chevy with a 235 installed. It pegs the needle on the 30 lb. gauge when I first start it but falls to 15 lbs. when it warms up (180 degrees) and running at 35-40 MPH. At idle it drops to almost 0. There is no valve clatter from the hydraulic lifters and no other unusual noises.
I’m running 10w-30 Valvoline.
This seem unusually low to me. This engine was rebuilt in 2013 and then sat for 5 years before I got it.
Your thoughts!
Last edited by Phak1; Tue Oct 29 2019 12:10 AM.
Phil 1952 Chevrolet 3100 Project Journals‘59 235 & hydraulic lifters “Three on the Tree” & 4:11 torque tube 12v w/ Alternator
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,004
Shop Shark
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How much oil does it burn? Try 10w40.
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 777
OP
Jack of all Trades, Master of None
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I haven’t driven it enough miles to tell if it is using oil. I don’t believe that it is burning oil because it doesn’t smoke and was rebuilt by a PO in a reputable shop. It came with the paperwork to prove it.
Last edited by Phak1; Tue Oct 29 2019 01:37 AM.
Phil 1952 Chevrolet 3100 Project Journals‘59 235 & hydraulic lifters “Three on the Tree” & 4:11 torque tube 12v w/ Alternator
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 945
Shop Shark
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possible inaccurate gauge. Id put 15w40 or 20w50 in it. See what gauge does then. Could try a different gauge also. Was the engine broken in or ever ran prior to you getting it?
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,283
ace skiver
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Heck, I’d try 20W50 oil - it is readily available and costs $20 (Walmart).
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 777
OP
Jack of all Trades, Master of None
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I don’t know if it was properly broken in because I didn’t buy it from the owner who had it rebuilt. That was two owners ago. The story I got was it was running when the guy parked it then it sat for five years until it was sold 9/18. I bought it in 2/19 and it wasn’t running supposedly because of an electrical issue. It had many other issues including electrical!
Phil 1952 Chevrolet 3100 Project Journals‘59 235 & hydraulic lifters “Three on the Tree” & 4:11 torque tube 12v w/ Alternator
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 789
Shop Shark
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What kind of gauge are you running and where is the line tapped into? I am with the others, try another gauge just to double check. Also, any chance you have an oil filter mounted? If so, what kind?
Mike
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,793
Shop Shark
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Stupid question! If it’s a 1952 235, isn’t that still running babbit bar rings? If so, isn’t 15 psi about normal? My 216 normally sits between 10-15 psi.
Please educate me here as I don’t know much about the 235. Didn’t they change to full pressure around 1955.2?
Chris
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,022
Master Gabster
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That is a bit strange because those numbers are about perfect for the low pressure version.
Last edited by truckernix; Tue Oct 29 2019 02:03 AM.
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Re: ‘59 235 Low Oil Pressure
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,283
ace skiver
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Yes, Chris,
The 1935 engines were babbitted bearings - and, the low pressure oil system, both as you describe.
The original poster/post says at the end of the first post: “ At idle it drops to almost 0.”
That is not good for the engine’s bearings.
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