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440 Oil Pressure?

M

MoparHonda

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My 440 was rebuilt .030 over to stock specs except for a mild cam 30 years and 25,000 miles ago. (It was rebuilt by a previous owner.)

I unscrewed the oil sending unit and screwed in my shop gauge. I'm getting a tick over 50 PSI at cold idle, it drops to a tick over 20 PSI at hot idle. It's s tick over 40 PSI when the engine is hot and revved up.

Do I have anything to be concerned about?
 
That's precisely the same readings as my 383. I was wondering if that was too low myself.

Thanks!
 
My 383 runs 60 psi on 10W30 and my 440 needs 20W50 to maintain about 15 to 20 psi. Haven't managed to destroy either of them in 30+ years.
 
Yep, nothing wrong with any of that.
If you really want peace of mind, do a full throttle high RPM run in all gears while watching the oil pressure gauge.
If the thing never drops to zero from starvation, call it good and enjoy. :)
 
If you beat on it regularly at high rpm I'd shim the oil pump bypass spring. 10 psi/1000rpm. Cruising and the occasional romp it'll be fine like it is.
Doug
 
My experience with my 440 build and following research has led me to believe these engines typically produce lower idle pressure than other manufacturer big blocks. My engine with fresh bearings and acceptable tolerances makes about 10-15 PSI at hot idle with 30 weight oil. Now, I am running needle bearing solid lifters and needle bearing roller rockers but the pressure jumps right up with RPM's so I am not concerned at all.

I would not be worried. It's the oil film that provides the protection. The pressure just makes sure it's always there.
 
Thank you, all that takes some worry off my mind.

That shop gauge is in 10 PSI increments, a 'tick' means it's just over the line, for example, a 'tick' over 40 means it's just over the 40 line, probably about 42.

Revved up means about 3,000 RPM, I'm not drag racing this, I'm not doing 10,000 RPM burnouts...

Thank you for all your help.
 
BSB67 said:
What's a tick?

What RPM is "revved up"?
Click to expand...
About the width of gauge needle? Shimming a " tick " for pressure is just adding a 5/16" regular split lockwasher between pressure spring and plug cap(good for at least another 10#)
 
MoparHonda said:
Thank you, all that takes some worry off my mind.

That shop gauge is in 10 PSI increments, a 'tick' means it's just over the line, for example, a 'tick' over 40 means it's just over the 40 line, probably about 42.

Revved up means about 3,000 RPM, I'm not drag racing this, I'm not doing 10,000 RPM burnouts...

Thank you for all your help.
Click to expand...

I suggest that you first put in a mechanical gauge that you can read going down the road. If your oil pressure is 40 at 4000 rpm, and 50 at 5000 rpm, in gear going down the road, you're fine. No need to shim anything.
 
Bicylindrico said:
My experience with my 440 build and following research has led me to believe these engines typically produce lower idle pressure than other manufacturer big blocks. My engine with fresh bearings and acceptable tolerances makes about 10-15 PSI at hot idle with 30 weight oil. Now, I am running needle bearing solid lifters and needle bearing roller rockers but the pressure jumps right up with RPM's so I am not concerned at all.

I would not be worried. It's the oil film that provides the protection. The pressure just makes sure it's always there.
Click to expand...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THis is the way I see ot too !
 
My mech gauge on 10w40 and amsoil brake in oil just after the same got worn in. It went up to 60 while driving higher rpm fresh rebuild on a 440 it was as low as 30 on the cold idle 20 on the warm idle after timing and adjustments etc.

3BA962BD-44F1-478C-900F-CECD9A41BAB3.jpeg
 
My 440 runs @ 60 psi pressure all the time, at idle and while driving. (additional gauge says exact same)
Using 20W50 oil.
Probably running a high volume oil pump i guess, engine was rebuild by PO so i am not sure what is in there.
 
Wietse said:
My 440 runs @ 60 psi pressure all the time, at idle and while driving. (additional gauge says exact same)
Using 20W50 oil.
Probably running a high volume oil pump i guess, engine was rebuild by PO so i am not sure what is in there.
Click to expand...

See this too. The specifics matter. Standard engine clearances, 1/2 groove bearings, high volume pump, and 20-50 oil will certainly give this result.
 
Do these pumps have an internal relief valve?
If so mine is set @ 60 psi :)

Pressure is a bit on the high side, but better a bit high then too low.
 
Amsoil 10-40. Climbs quickly to peg, then drops slightly when up to op temp. Factory gauge. Accurate? Who knows. Makes for good peace of mind anyway.
 
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