My ride is new (150 miles) and seeing the temp at 198-200F when warmed up and oil pressure at 40 while driving and it drops to the first bold line in what appears to be the "normal" range (the first bold line just to the left of the 40 degree line). I would assume this is somewhere around 20 pounds psi.

Are these readings what everyone else is experiencing? My 1997 7.3L Ford never dropped in oil press. when coming to an idle.

Thanks!

 

That's cause your ford gauges were dummy gauges. Didn't really work. The Dodge gauges are semi dummy gauges. They give you a "broad" idea of what's going on. Everything sounds fine with your truck.

 

Sounds right to me. And oil pressure drops at idle, should be closer to 30 psi on the oil pressure at idle. But, as BigBlue said, just an idea of what is going on. When the oil gauge doesn't move, then you have problems, but you know that.

Mike

 

The oil pressure gauge is just as much a dummy gauge as the Ford. Its a switch. Less than 8psi and the gauge goes to 0. More than 8psi and the ECM calculates from a table what the oil pressure should be.

the coolant temp is an actual sensor.

Your readings are completely normal. First upgrade should be some sore of gauge pack. I suggest the SRT-10 triple gauge with EGT, oil pressure, and lift pump pressure.