redtop sr s13 oil pres. prob.

[ka24dave]

well i finally hooked up my mechanical oil pres. gauge today after nearly 4 months of my swap running. i noticed that the oil pressure at cold runs abt 35 or so then the idle slowly drops down to abt 28 after a good amount of warm up time. shortly after i drove off and boosted (10psi) about 10 miles down the road i put it in neutral and coasted to my next stop light. when it idled down it dropped to nearly 10-12 and rough idled (it has always idled rough, i just now was able to monitor the pressure.)

the first 5 minutes cruising pressure was at abt 30 or so. after i was almost home i was just under 25 ( crappy gauge, hard to read....maybe 22-24) and when i pegged it i noticed the pressure really wouldnt rise like it did the first 5 minutes (when i pegged it). it seemed resistant to climb when i was WOT.

AND.....yes i know all about the dent in the pan problems.....mine has a very very small dent i do not believe is affecting it but i plan to fix it anyway.

I sort of believe it may be some trash in the oil screen because it is symptomatic of that.... but please feel free to give any input, it is much appreciated!

[drift donkey]

it could also be your oil pump going bad. I would look into a new pump.

[ka24dave]

it could also be your oil pump going bad. I would look into a new pump.

any way of testing the pump? or would it just be safe to assume it is the pump after i get the pan off, if i find no other issues?

Edit: Also, whats normal running pressures for the Sr?

[180fan]

to get to take a look at the oil pump, you'll need to drop the lower and upper oil pans on the sr. The screws that hold the cover for the oil pump are a bit fiesty, you may need to use an impact screwdriver for them. You'll need to check the clearance on the gears in the pump.

[ddgsxr504]

Do you have an electrical gauge or mechanical?

For the record electrical oil press gauges suck and are inaccurate.

Oil press with engine at operating temp at idle (700-750rpms) is 12-16psi. At 3000 rpms it should be between 60-70psi

[ka24dave]

ok update...

so i took off my oil pan after work the other night, i banged out a small dent in the center and afterwards got some results. about 42 psi now until idle, where it hangs at about 12 ( i also have a whacked out idle, reasons unknown.) but it seems running alot healthier now....but if that still isnt the correct pressure then what could be the next issue? ( i also didnt look at the pump itself when i removed the lower pan, nor did i remove the upper)

edit: oh yea, and i believe i mentioned it already, but for convo's sake it is mechanical