Ping WARMAN

The first thing that comes to mind, Brad, is that someone has changed the sending unit.... From somewhere in the late 80s on, the oil pressure "gauge" is more of an oil pressure "light". The older ones had a variable resistance that had the oil pressure gauge respond to any variations in oil pressure.... The later ones were simply a switch.... When oil pressure comes up, the switch closes and the needle goes to a predetermined spot on the dial...

To be on the safe side, you could check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge... but in the absence of any rattling lifters and other scarey stuff, it doesn't sound like there is much cause for concern....

Top-postingly yours, Jim...

What makes it move it the changes that occur to oil pressure as the engine speed changes. Anywhere in the "Normal" ranges is between 25 and 60 PSI and thus normal.

One can always "T" in a pressure gauge, by inserting oe into the 1/8 pipe fitting tap in the block, before the sender unit

mike

Jim, Mike:

Thanks!

I never knew the gauge was an idiot light. Who woulda thunk? But in a Cobra I'm not surprised Ford used a real one or the past owner did. Very interesting.

Thanks again!

Brad

Got a 93 Bronco with a 351W that fluctuates a good bit. It's fine as long as you don't get down near 10psi at idle. You should run around

30psi at highway speeds. Though if it fluctuates a little too wildly you should check to see that the sender is okay. If there's oil leaking around it then you need to replace it because not only does it make your gauge not reliable but it can leak something fierce when it finally does go and make you think you need a new rear main when you don't!

Gotcha and thank you. No oil leaks as far as I know. I will keep an eye on it nonetheless.

Brad