440 oil pressure light on with Valvoline VR-1 20w50.

[Nismobishi]

Hello everyone,
Ever since I changed over to 20w50 VR-1 with a black WIX filter on my 440 my oil pressure light comes on randomly while driving. I have a mechanical gauge too and it is always good with around 40 psi at idle 50 at cruise and 60 under load. Could the sending unit for the light just be old and not like the heavy oil?

 

[Nirvana]

Sending unit is going out, trust the mechanical gauge.

 

[Nismobishi]

That's what I figured! The car cranks over a little slower when it's cold but when warmed up I feel like this oil is a great choice.

Any recommendations on an new sensor or just anything from autozone?

 

[Don Frelier]

RockAuto (not Autozone)

 

[Nismobishi]

Thank you!

 

[1963JAM]

Does this ZR1 have the zddp needed for the flat tappet engines?

 

[Chargerkiddave]

Think he means VR1 and yes ZDDP

 

[threewood]

It's a great oil but it lacks cleaners that are in street car oils. It will get dirtier, faster because it is meant to be used as a race oil, more frequent changes. I have a few cases of VR-1 in my rotation of oils that I use.

 

[Nismobishi]

Think he means VR1 and yes ZDDP

This is true, lol. I corrected my post.

 

[Geoff 2]

Many years ago, I saw a boat engine that had been run up on it's trailer. The oil was drained & it looked like water, it was so thin. Was told it was Valvoline. Made a mental note never to use it....

 

[Nismobishi]

I replaced the oil pressure sender and all is well! Thanks for all the help!

 

[SlinktRR]

Yes don't keep vr1 in for too long, no detergents and poor TBN so really not good for winter storage. Plenty of zddp and good for short intervals. Gibbs Driven is a much better hot rod oil alternative, better formulation for longer drain intervals plus zddp for flat tappets.

 

[beanhead]

Hello everyone,
Ever since I changed over to 20w50 VR-1 with a black WIX filter on my 440 my oil pressure light comes on randomly while driving. I have a mechanical gauge too and it is always good with around 40 psi at idle 50 at cruise and 60 under load. Could the sending unit for the light just be old and not like the heavy oil?

I replaced the oil pressure sender and all is well! Thanks for all the help!

Thanks for the follow up!
I always lean toward trusting a (quality) mechanical gauge over the factory sender and light.
As a side note, with those readings you'd probably be fine with a 10-30 in there too...just something to consider.