Oil pressure pegged

[Dave Rifkin]

Yesterday I took my 1969 Corvette out on a Marine's sponsored Toys 4 Tots run. Had the car up to 85 ish on the highway, running great. Had to deal with a lot of traffic getting into the event, which did not make the car very happy. Temp gauge got to 210 and she felt like it was loading up; possibly the beginnings of vapor lock.

Anyway, the ride home was uneventful but, this morning when I went to take it out for another ride I noticed that the oil pressure gauge was pegged. I was only heading down my street, maybe 15 mph. When I let off the gas and let it idle the needle sat between 35 and 70.
Normally the gauge reads 35 when I am driving and never gets anywhere near 70. I immediately brought it home. I checked the oil, it's full and clean.

Any ideas what the cause could be and/or what I should do?

[Big Block Bill]

Until you test the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge, it's a crap shoot/guessing game. As Snap On Tools moto goes: "Test, Don't Guess". Could be the pressure regulator valve in the oil pump has stuck or the spring broke into pieces.

Bill

[Dave Rifkin]

Well that doesn't sound good. I am not a mechanic so I don't have the tools or knowledge to perform such a test. Is it safe to drive it a few miles to a local shop like it is?

[BTL]

I am an optimist. Best case is your gauge has become a little inaccurate, not sure if you have a sending unit? or directly to your gauge.However as stated you should have an independent mechanical gauge hooked up to read the actual pressure.

[Big Block Bill]

Originally Posted by Dave Rifkin

Well that doesn't sound good. I am not a mechanic so I don't have the tools or knowledge to perform such a test. Is it safe to drive it a few miles to a local shop like it is?

If it truly is 80 lbs. of oil pressure as your gauge reads, you risk blowing the oil filter off the engine with prolonged use.

Bill

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Was your car up to operating temp when you noticed your pressure?? Oil pressure is always higher when the engine is cold. Once it warms up, it should come down to a lower pressure. My Camaro is always around 70 lbs. when cold and then drops down once it warms up to about 45 to 50 lbs. when driving. At idle it's around 30 lbs. when hot...

[dustinm]

What does the gauge read with key on and engine off?

[TWB]

The 68-73 corvette oil gauge is very susceptible to corrosion at the pivot points. Can be fixed. Not a problem. If you are willing to pull it out send a PM and I will get you through it.

[Dave Rifkin]

Probably won't get an opportunity to drive the car until next weekend sometime. I think I will let it warm up completely and watch the gauge. Hopefully it will come down to a normal range.
If not, I am going to change the oil and possibly replace the oil pressure gauge.

[BCreekDave]

Might be prudent to pull the filter and open it up to look for metal. Probably the gauge but you never know.