Oil Pressure while turning over 3.6-suggestions

tshebib · tshebib's Garage

I've been working on this install all winter ( 3.6 in 1980SC). Everything is ready to go except I'm still waiting on the reprogrammed DME. The engine is a '96 V-ram with 26k miles on it . It hasn't been running since the accident in 1999. I decided to turn it over today to see if I could build up oil pressure, etc. The pressure gage started out at 1-2 bar and once oil made it's way through the various components the gage went up to 4 bar. Is this normal for an engine being turned over by the starter? I was told I have the right pressure sender but now I'm not sure.

uwanna · 03-17-2012, 11:39 AM

If you are using the original 3.6 sender with the '80SC gauge, the actual pressure will be half of what's indicted. This a well known problem. I worried about this when I first installed the 3.6 in my '80SC. Now I just look at the gauge and mentally divide the pressure reading in half!

tshebib · tshebib's Garage

So, if that's the case (I hope you're right) then the actual pressure while turning the engine over is 2 bar.

uwanna · 03-17-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tshebib

So, if that's the case (I hope you're right) then the actual pressure while turning the engine over is 2 bar.

With thick cold oil, and a good rapid turnover rate, 2 bar is certainly possible.

tshebib · tshebib's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwanna

With thick cold oil, and a good rapid turnover rate, 2 bar is certainly possible.

Thanks, Brad Penn 20/50 is probably a little overkill anyway. I'll change the sending unit out next winter when I do the upgrades on my tranny (if it survives that long).