[OPRN]

Yes we are still getting overnight temperatures around or slightly below freezing. I was running that oil because that is factory spec for our VW turbo diesels year around. I thought if it was good enough for that severe service it should work in a naturally aspired gas engine. Simple matter to change though.
The gauge and sender are fine because as you said the lifters tell me when the engine gets pressure and the engine RPMs also drop when the pump starts to move oil. It all corresponds nicely to what the gauge tells me.
Now that I think of it the same thing happens on start up on any vehicle I have ever changed oil in until the filter fills. So perhaps it in the back flow valve in the filter.
I don't see the suggested filter number on this site do you guys get yours elsewhere?