Ever since I installed my 60# valve springs my oil pressure is slightly lower. 5-8psi lower at idle. Cruise about 3-5psi lower. Could this just be a weak engine throwing up the white flag? Does it take more to work the heavier valve springs? I set the valves to 8/18. Tight valve lash contribute to lower oil pressure? What about incorrect valve adjust prodecure? Hands are too big to get to the timing pin. Used the valve overlap procedure. - Watch #1 intake rise, as soon as #1 exhaust starts to drop I stop. #1 at tdc. This is how I did the valve spring install and didn't drop any valves. That will be another thread on valve adjust.

All fluid levels, color, smell and taste are normal. Torqued all headbolts to 120ftlbs after install.

Once I noticed this lower oil pressure I parked the truck and been driving the crew cab all week. I've removed the rocker towers to check to make sure the dowel on the bottom of each tower is aligned on the head properly and not damaged from not being flat or aligned correctly on reinstall after the valve spring job. Each one checks out ok. I've got them all torqued back down, just now have to adjust the valves again.... Any thoughts on this?

 

I wouldn't think the springs could drop oil pressure. Theres nothing in the cam
area to cause the oil to escape faster, I believe there is only one cam bearing.
However I for one am not a believer in any tight valve settings but that's just my
thoughts.

We will have to see what the experts think.


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all i can offer is that my springs didn't affect pressure. hope you get this figured out bill. let us know.

 

There is absolutely no reason different valve springs or valve settings would change the oil pressure.

 

Did not change my pressure on my factory idiot guage.

 

You actually look at those gauges? The factory gauges are worthless. I'm sure you knew that, just adding something right.

I have an el cheapo mechanical oil pressure gauge somewhere in the garage. I'll see if I can round up some fittings and short piece of tubing and hook it up and see if it reads the same as the autometer mechanical gauge in the cab.

Starting to sound like the gauge is junk. Thanks for the responses.

 

I had a cheap mechanical guage in the truck for a while but the copper line developed a crack and started to leak. When I discovered this it was only 3 qts low on oil. I consider myself lucky to have found it since it was pointed out to me while at a stop light by another driver. Talk about close calls.
I just haven't been able to reinstall the guage again.