The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 216 Oil Pressure

Would like some advice or maybe just what you guys think.The 216 I have has been rebuilt and has only about 2 hrs running time on it,at 180 water temp,at high idle it has about 15 to 17 lbs oil pressure,at idle it has 5 to 7 lbs pressure.I am not able to take it on a road test,still have to wire,and put front end and rear fenders on.I have a 235 ready but I would like to give to 216 a chance.Is this oil pres. normal or is it to low,Have 10-30 in it and 1 qt of Marvel.
Thanks for any comments, DON

Sounds about right to me Don. The 216 in my 41 from initial cold start will build up pressure to the top of the gauge and when warm at idle about 5 - 7 lbs. This is on an engine with less than 10,000 miles on it since it was rebuilt. Give the 216 a go mate. As long as you don't over rev it, its a great little engine.

Cheers

Bob

That's about normal. I think you should look at he oil your using. I've heard that multi-viscosity oil will cause build up on the top of the pistons. most people will recommend a straight 20w for winter and 30w for everything else. Look at the past posts on that.

You're OK. "Normal" on my 38 is 13.5 @ 2621 RPM. Tweak is correct on the recomended oil viscosity although I might add if it's very cold (below 0) 10 weight is recomended and the recomended change point to 30 weight is 50 deg.F. Personally I add a quart of synthetic because of the superior lubricating properties. These engines let all of the oil drain to the pan when shut off. I want a little extra protection on cold start/restart.

I also agree.. sounds like what both my splash oil 216 and 235 have for oil pressure.

I put a set of aftermarket gauges in the '46 1/2 ton just because the stock temp and oil pressure gauges were questionable in their readings.. when I first start it, the oil pressure is in the 20's, but as it warms up, the pressure drops quite a bit.. to between 5 and 7 at idle, and around 13 while driving.

i'm support all the previous comments.

relax, it just takes a little getting used to near non-existant oil pressure.

Thank Guys,When the books said the 216 was a low oil pres engine I did not know how low.I will change oil to 30W.thanks for all your help. DON

I believe you are good to go on oil pressure and I agree that the oil weight is important. I would take that 10-30 weight out and put in 20w until warm weather then pop in 30w.
Some of the more experianced on here will chime in on multi grade oils and I think you will find that you are dropping some pressure with 10w on the low end of that multi scale.
I like 20w30 but cant find it around here.

Hobert

Those pressure numbers are spot on. In some of the Chev documents they don't list a minimum pressure for idle.