Well I bought a 1988 Ford F350 (Roll back) over the weekend with a 460 V8 four speed trans (stick) and have a question about oil pressure and coolant temperature. The factory instrument cluster dose not seem to work very well and I do not trust it.
Ambient air temp 102* (F) for all readings.
Cold oil pressure 60 PSI
Hot oil pressure 26 PSI
Hot oil pressure at 2K RPM (round about) 45 PSI
Water temperature measured at radiator neck 160* (F) after running for about one hour.
Now I am a Mopar guy myself but I have worked on a number of Fords over the years the number I have posted do not raise any flags for me, another person thinks the oil pressure is to low.
So before I go putting real money into this truck I want to make sure the engine will hold up. The truck made a 250+ mile trip on a recored breaking hot day.I would think if it made it through all of that the engine must not be in bad shape.
Thanks Paul B
Seems good to me. The old rule of 10psi hot per 1000 rpm is a good one to follow. Looks like someone swapped the thermostat at some point for a way too cold version, I prefer no lower then 180F, to combat overheating or the fallacy of increased performance.
Key: what's the oil weight? If that's with 10w/30, that's great. If it's with straight 50w, then, well... However, considering the temps and the trip you took, I think you'll be OK. They are known for their ability to generate a LOT of torque down low, and with a simple cam and intake change, much, much more.. Both changes are not expensive, either. 45 psi at 2k, on a broiling day, and the year, sounds acceptable. The rule is at least 10psi of oil pressure for every 1k rpm. Coolant temp sounds OK, too.
The oil is black as coal so I have no ideal of the weight. I plan to change it today or tomorrow.
Thanks Paul B
Given the year and type of use it has seen, I would also consider 10 psi per 1000 RPM to be fine.
As long as the oil doesnt have any metal in it and it doesnt rattle, I would run it till it pops, no matter what the gauges say.
Even if it had metal in it, I would still run it till it popped.
