Hiya,

 

I ran my rebuilt Pinto for the first time recently and, now that I have an oil pressure gauge, I just wanted to check if the readings sounded healthy...

 

Bear in mind that the engine has been quite thoroughly refurbed, with new bearings, seals and gaskets everywhere. New pistons, rings and camshaft. The crank wasn't reground, but I measured it and it was within the tolerance for barely worn condition and no ovality to speak of. I also fitted a Burton high pressure/flow pump, as I'd heard the stories about Pinto cam spray bars being a bit crap, so thought it might help to deliver a bit extra. I also read recently that those pumps can suck the sump dry if you run at high revs for a sustained period!! But it will only be a road car, so shouldn't be an issue.

 

Anyway, when the engine is cold, the gauge hits the top (90psi) at idle, before dropping to around 35psi at idle when fully warmed up. Does that sound ok for a tight, like new engine???

 

Cheers,

Pete

Hi Pete,

 

According to Haynes manual for the Pinto, it states:-

 

Minimum oil pressure at 750rpm..... 14.5 lbf/in2

 

2000rpm.... 36.25 lbf/in2

 

Both reading's with engine warm.

 

Haynes take their info from the manufacturers, so i assume thats for a new engine also??

 

HTH,

 

Nick.

Mines about 20 to 25psi @900rpm and about 65psi at full chat when hot. cold as you say is off the scale 2000 miles old

sounds about right, and about like mine

 

 

 

at barkston last year, it had about 10lb at idle, and not much more reving... only 1 bolt in the oil pump

seems to have survived

Hi Pete,

 

According to Haynes manual for the Pinto, it states:-

 

Minimum oil pressure at 750rpm..... 14.5 lbf/in2

 

2000rpm.... 36.25 lbf/in2

 

Both reading's with engine warm.

 

Haynes take their info from the manufacturers, so i assume thats for a new engine also??

 

HTH,

 

Nick.

which haynes have you got and where abouts this info im in research mode

which haynes have you got and where abouts this info im in research mode

 

 

Hi,

 

Sierra 83-93 model year. Info is in the specification list at the begining of the engine section.

 

Nick.

Hi,

 

Sierra 83-93 model year. Info is in the specification list at the begining of the engine section.

 

Nick.

cant seem to find, Ive got "903" manual 1982 to 1992 if you got what page

90+ when cold 35/40 at idle hot 50/60@3500 hot never below 30 even when temp gauge on hot stop during ahead gasket failure only time low press worried me was after grounding the sump pushing the bottom face upto the pick up restricting flow ,cured by liberal application of 4lb adjusting tool!! HTH mower man

90+ when cold 35/40 at idle hot 50/60@3500 hot never below 30 even when temp gauge on hot stop during ahead gasket failure only time low press worried me was after grounding the sump pushing the bottom face upto the pick up restricting flow ,cured by liberal application of 4lb adjusting tool!! HTH mower man

checked through haynes, plenty of liberal application but no mention of 4lb adjusting tool

my 2ltr efi is 50 cold, 35 hot, 25 very hot

peter2b

Thanks for all the replies, guys

 

Looks like my engine is nicely in the expected range, so no worries

 

Pete

Mines about 20 to 25psi @900rpm and about 65psi at full chat when hot. cold as you say is off the scale 2000 miles old

that smack on, the same as mine.

Hello all. I found this thread when searching for the typical oil pressure range on a pinto engine - I know it’s an oldie but if anyone is watching it, perhaps someone can enlighten me? My values seem to be mostly normal, however I have noticed that my oil pressure drops by as much as 20psi if I’m giving it the beans. Is this normal? And if not, what is the likely cause for the drop?

Not an expert on Pinto engine by any extent, so hopefully somebody who really knows will be along later, but I would not expect the oil pressure to drop as the RPM increases, I would expect the pressure to increase & then be maintained. If it's falling off I suspect that the oil pump is worn & oil is getting past the lobs.

I'm with Phaeton on this. The pressure on my pinto would stay up, even when ragged round a track.  It only dropped a bit at idle, when hot. 

Sorry but I can't remember the actual pressures.