Very hi oil pressure!

[Jay Laifman]

I think my 73.5 T now has terribly high oil pressure. At least that's what the gauge is reading: like 120+ psi. It didn't used to get this high. What has happened and is my car at risk if driven?

Here are some details though. A couple weeks ago, I changed the plugs, cap, rotor and air filter. It was running beautifully. But then on the way to work, the alternator light started coming on at low rpms and by the time I got to work, it was staying on and the car was running badly. On the way back home, I noticed the oil pressure gauge almost maxing out. I assumed that the problem with the alternator was causing electric problems for the WUR and the oil pressure gauge.

I replaced the alternator and now all is fine with the charging. But, when I drove it to work today, I saw that the oil pressure is still way up and it is still running a little off. Could the low power running driving to and from work (about 2 hours total), have caused a problem?

The oil pressure gauge reads around 18-21 on idle, but by around 3,000 rpm it's up to over 120 psi. It is not all the time. Sometimes it seems more normal. But then one time, it was holding at about 50 psi when I was at higher rpm and I felt like it should be higher.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[HawgRyder]

It sounds like the oil pressure relief valves have stuck.
There are two of them.
A simple explanation...
One is for the overall...dump the pressure back into the sump valve.
The second one is for regulating the pressure when the engine is running at normal temps.
If the shuttle valve in either of these gets stuck...you can end up with too much pressure.
The valves are servicable by removing the caps (bottom of engine...one on the very bottom near the flywheel...the other horizontal to the side of the case)...be aware...they have springs in them!!!
Be careful when unsrcrewing them!
Each will be the capto unscrew...then a spring...then the valve itself...there might also be some shims...don't lose them.
The valves look like little pistons with holes in some of them.
Do NOT mix them up.
Do one at a time.
The valve might be stuck (dirt...etc) in the bore...pull them out hopefully with your finger...or maybe a magnet (they are steel)...being careful not to scratch the bore.
Each piston (valve) should slide in and out easily...cleanliness is king here!
Good luck.
Bob

[Jay Laifman]

Is it bad to drive like this?