high oil pressure

[gor in san diego]

A 1960 283 power pack Chevy Engine was assembled after a complete rebuild and put into my 1964 Chevy C-20 PU with a four speed granny tranny and a 456 rear end running on 750-16 tires. (workin' truck). The no load oil pressure was 30 psi at 600 rpm and 60 psi at 2000 rpm after a 45 minute unloaded run at 2000 rpm, and a 10 mile test drive around town. The original mechanical oil gauge and fitting in the truck was retained. 60 psi is the top peg on this gauge THIS OIL PRESSURE SEEMS TOO HIGH. Updated observations. After putting 60 miles on it half street, half freeway, the oil pressure has reduced. No load: 600rpm idle, 15psi. 2000 rpm, 45psi, 4000rpm 55 psi. 4000rpm on the freeway, 50psi. Because the gauge did not peg at driving speed, I am relieved, but this still seems too high. I used Sta-Lube graphite-moly rebuild compound which seemed a little thick and heavy. This stuff may be slow to wash out of the bearing clearance areas.

Any and all opinions and comments are wanted and welcome. This engine may have some collector value, (1960 three speed corvette) and I do not want to mess it up. Thanks to any and all responders. I just got my license to post, so bear with me as a newbe. I went ahead and included a pretty good write up on the rebuild for anyone interested. Gor in San Diego.

The 1960 engine was described as a "crate engine" that had been installed into a desert vehicle and had sat around for perhaps 30 years or more. The motor had triangle over rectangle heads a Carter WCFB four barrel carburetor and a 10 1/2 inch clutch. Disassembly indicated that it was stock, all casting numbers matched, the carb number was correct, the water pump back cover, timing chain cover and valve covers had the old large head phillips screws. The block was hot tanked, magna-fluxed, and bored 0.030 over by a reputable shop in town. A Northern Auto Parts rebuild kit was used, with the only upgrades being brass block plugs and a high torque RV cam. The local shop installed the cam bearings and block plugs, and mounted the pistons on the rods. The crank was magna-fluxed and ground to 10 - 10 under by the local crank shop. The heads in very good condition were hot tanked, and a conventional valve job was done including knurling of the valve guides. Almost new rockers and push rods were used. Intake manifold was hot tanked, and the Carter Carb rebuilt; the metering rods and all operating linkage were in good condition.

Assembly was done by this author. The crank bearings were not plasti-gauged, because the local crank shop is considered to be very good ? The rings were trial fitted and were exact. All block components were smeared with a thin layer of Sta-Lube graphite-moly compound. Bolts were torqued with a flex handle wrench and held at final torque for several seconds. The assembled short block could be easily turned over at 30 or so foot pounds. The final assembly was installed into the truck. (attempted to post pic, I know, truck engines are grey) 10-30 oil was put in. The engine was timed by running on the starter with the spark plugs removed, and the oil gauge indicated 30 psi on the starter motor. With spark plugs in, the motor started right up, and sounded fine. As previously mentioned, the engine was warmed up for 20 minutes, the carb mixture and idle set, and allow to purr along for 30 or so minutes. Sounded great. Went for the test drive, It wanted to get up and go....but the oil pressure pegged at 60 psi above 2000 rpm.

Truck was parked for the night. Oil level is right at the add a quart line. Driver side valve cover was removed and the rockers were full of cupped oil. The engine was started, and the lifters oiled well and began to leak over the edge of the head. Valve cover was replaced, and the passenger side cover removed. The lifters oiled even better, perhaps because the engine had warmed up a little. They began to spit and flip.....a lot like my old 57 with the 098 Duntov. The oil filter cannot blow out because of the original 1/8 inch walled can contained by a 1/2 bolt is in place.