Low RPMs and Oil Pressure

[Trés 30]

My local boat guru warned me about low RPM causing low oil pressure.

How does low idle/RPM relate to oil pressure with these engines? If it's too low will op be low as well, causing overheating, wear, seizing, etc?

Engine idles at about 450 (350 in gear), using inductive meter on #1 wire. Everything else (temp, dwell, power output at higher throttle) is in a proper range. Possibly a faulty meter but it works well on all other functions.

Any thoughts or experience with this? (I know, I know, "Buy an op gauge ya damn cheap hippie!")

Thanks much

[JOHN COOKSON]

OP should be ~40 PSI at cruise RPM when the engine is warmed up. Idle OP should be ~1/2 this.
I would be more concerned about low or no OP at cruise RPMs. Without a gauge how do you know?

TRUE GRIT

[67c&ccorv]

My local boat guru warned me about low RPM causing low oil pressure.

How does low idle/RPM relate to oil pressure with these engines? If it's too low will op be low as well, causing overheating, wear, seizing, etc?

Engine idles at about 450 (350 in gear), using inductive meter on #1 wire. Everything else (temp, dwell, power output at higher throttle) is in a proper range. Possibly a faulty meter but it works well on all other functions.

Any thoughts or experience with this? (I know, I know, "Buy an op gauge ya damn cheap hippie!")

Thanks much

450-350 is too low rpm...oil pressure is a function of RPM and oil pump/main bearing wear - oil viscosity.

You need to adjust the carb to a higher idle rpm.

[Trés 30]

Alright, will adjust accordingly and put oil pressure gauge next on the list of improvements. Guess I can't run it blind forever


Thanks much!