the best oil pressure port

[cowman79]

In my 94 factory turbo truck where is the best place to install a oil pressure guage. My current sender is in the top of the turbo and is fed from the back of the block where the factory sender is installed in the na trucks. I am courious what the oil pressure is in my truck after the rebuild and want to install an actual guage.

 

[RLDSL]

That is actually a very good place to tap in. You get the pressure after other things have drawn off so you are getting a min reading. If you don't want to disturb that setup, there is a small plug on the drivers side of teh block just aft of the oil cooler header that will accept an 1/8"npt fitting that is another good spot, you will need a REAL oddball female square plug socket to get that plug out, I don't have teh size offhand, but it's a snappy item.

 

[cowman79]

Thanks for the info. I wasn't wanting to disturb the turbo oil setup.

 

[hesutton]

I'm with Robert. I've got both of my IDI's setup with the aftermarket (real) oil pressure senders on the turbo's oil block. It's as far away from the oil pump as I could find. That should be the minmum pressure in the entire system. If it's good there, it's good everywhere else. Plus, I want to make sure my turbo's bearings are getting oil at sufficent pressure.

Heath

 

[The Warden]

I'm with Robert. I've got both of my IDI's setup with the aftermarket (real) oil pressure senders on the turbo's oil block. It's as far away from the oil pump as I could find. That's should the the minmum pressure in the entire system. If it's good there, it's good everywhere else. Plus, I want to make sure my turbo's bearings are going oil at sufficent pressure.

Heath

Just curious, what sort of pressure do you see at that port, and how does it compare to the pressure seen at the port that the n/a & aftermarket turbo trucks use?

 

[hesutton]

Not sure how it compairs, but I see 45-50 at RPM and 25 at idle when warm on the F250, 45 at RPM and 25 at idle on the F350.

Heath

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

I'm with Robert. I've got both of my IDI's setup with the aftermarket (real) oil pressure senders on the turbo's oil block. It's as far away from the oil pump as I could find. That should be the minmum pressure in the entire system. If it's good there, it's good everywhere else. Plus, I want to make sure my turbo's bearings are getting oil at sufficent pressure.

Heath

X2!

 

[cowman79]

I would like to take the reading at the turbo but I would have to add a couple of nipples and a tee to make it work. I am afraid that if I add all of the fittings there is a chance the vibration could break the pipe fittings and make a big mess. I think I will hook up to the port near the oil cooler.

 

[Kevin 007]

I've seen as low as 12 at a hot idle with a 370,000mile engine. 12 still doesn't worry me though. And it had 40 at 1700rpm down the highway

 

[racer30]

IF I saw 12psi oil pressure hot, I would freek out. I just cant feel good with that low of pressure holding my cranksaft off the bearings. Just makes me feel icky...

 

[The Warden]

IF I saw 12psi oil pressure hot, I would freek out. I just cant feel good with that low of pressure holding my cranksaft off the bearings. Just makes me feel icky...

That's actually pretty normal for these trucks.

For that matter, I currently see 10 (or slightly less) at idle and about 35 at freeway speeds. I had a different gauge in before I added my turbo, and that one showed a pretty consistent 10 psi at idle and 40 psi when cruising, so I'm hoping that it's just this gauge...but it's also why I'm so interested in Gary's talked-about procedure for adjusting the oil pressure relief valve in the oil cooler header...although, since I have an early 6-ring cooler and IIRC you can't get the inner rings for them anymore, messing with my oil cooler opens up a whole other can of worms...

 

[boxathey]

i installed a tee at the factory turbo a couple years back. i havent had any issues with the vibration creating a leak. I agree in wanting to see exactly what pressure my turbo bearings are getting. when truck is warm i get 15-20 psi at idle, cruising im right around 40. i run rotella 5w 40 synthetic.

 

[Kevin 007]

Wow, I have never seen 20 psi at hot idle in ANY idi.

 

[cowman79]

i installed a tee at the factory turbo a couple years back. i havent had any issues with the vibration creating a leak. I agree in wanting to see exactly what pressure my turbo bearings are getting. when truck is warm i get 15-20 psi at idle, cruising im right around 40. i run rotella 5w 40 synthetic.

Did you remove the oil pressure sender from the top of the turbo and install a tee or did you put a tee in the oil feed tube. Also did you use brass or black iron fittings. I just want to make sure I use something that has been tested.