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Thank you for the reply. The acceptable pressure is lower than I thought, but you confirmed my thoughts. I was seeing zero at idle, 20 psi at an elevated rpm with cold oil. I suspected excessive bearing/ pump clearances, and the pressure was a bit lower than I felt comfortable. (Assuming gauge is not reading low, any chance of that?)
Passed that car by for now.Still looking.
Mark B said "Often the idle pressure is at 0 or 5 psi when hot, but jumps quickly when I blip the throttle ....... "
Could it be the "low" oil pressure at idle is because of the build spec on the bearings having more clearance than stock! A "looser" engine will or should have lower oil pressure at idle?
That is almost definitely what the issue will be. Major culprits for LOP, more or less in order of likleyhood:
#1 Rod bearing clearances.
#2 Main bearing clearances.
#3 Sticking OPR.
#4 Worn oil pump internals.
#5 Gasoline diluted engine oil (manifests LOP when oil is hot at idle).
#6 Multi-vis oil that has too many miles on it (manifests LOP when oil is hot at idle).
#7 Cam bearing clearances.
#8 Timing chain rubbing block "squirter" missing spring and ball or the tube entirely.
#9 (and to a rather minor extent) worn rockers/shaft or poor clearances between rocker shafts and the rocker oil T fitting.