Oil pressure issues

[Partsstore]

Hi everybody.

My oil gauge blew apart. Have a Snap on gauge on there now but am afraid I am blowing that apart as well.I have about 140lbs of pressure at idle which is a bit much.

Took the pressure relief valve out of the engine and everything is intact. Put some washers behind the plug to give the spring some more tension but am wondering if somebody ever experienced the same and could tell me how he loved it.

Thanks,

Jan

jw@partsstore.eu

[Don Coatney]

The oil relief plunger must move freely in the housing. The plunger sits behind the spring. You may have to use an easy out or a large self tapping screw to remove it. Once out polish it with emery cloth. Works best if you chuck it up in a drill motor. My plunger stuck and the oil pressure sky rocketed. Adding shims will increase the oil pressure not reduce it.

[MBF]

Like Don says you don't want more spring tension-you want less so that the pressure relief can open at a lower pressure. Was the pressure ok awhile ago or did this the first time you've run this engine? I would think the valve is stuck and/or you have the wrong spring. Mike

[Partsstore]

Solved the problem.

The plunger was loose allright. I think at a certain point this engine has been rebuilt. Compression of all cylinders is almost the same. Less than 5% different. No oil consumption at all. 15Mpg.

I think when they put it back together there was another spring installed. Or maybe they changed the spring before it once was rebuilt to increase the oil pressure on the worn engine.

I installed a shorter spring an filled it up with washers till I got 35lbs at idle and 55 at full speed. I think that will do.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Frank Elder]

Does anyone have a picture of the oil pressure relief valve and it's location on the engine?

[Young Ed]

Its the square plug straight down from the oil lines.

[Don Coatney]

Desoto engine but somewhat like a P-15