Oil Pressure Guage

[James R.]

Im getting no reading on my oil pressure guage. Do the copper lines get clogged? How is it cleaned out? I have a 1971 350. I have disconnected it from the manifold and instrument panel already and was going to blow through it...any ideas? Could it be the guage ? How would that be tested? Thanks Jimmy

[Michael G.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

Jimmy,
I had a problem with my 71. It was the guage. I pulled the center console, removed the line from guage, and using a tire inflating end on the air hose and preasure set at 50 lb., short blasts got the needle moving again. Mine had apparently got sticky from storage and after many jolts of air, she now moves very smoothly through the range. Hope this helps. Mike

[Paul O.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

James first make sure its the gauge see if a friend has a test gauge you can connect to the engine fitting if not you may be able to buy an inexpensive one fro Auto Zone etc. If it is the gauge the best way is to remove it and clean the internal tube with a ultrasound cleaner. You can do the method that Mike did but just be careful not to use to much pressure and damage the gauge. If you get it freed up I always try to fill the nylon/plastic line and gauge with a very low weight oil say like 3 in 1, sewing machine oil I have found this helps the gauge reading over a wide range of temperatures because it does not get very thick. The oil in this line does not readily mix with the engine oil because it like a one way street once its in it just stays there. Paul 18046

[Steven C.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

James, as Paul indicated, check the gauge first then check if the pick separated from the pump and fell off. Ask me how I know about this.

[Terry M.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

Im getting no reading on my oil pressure guage. Do the copper lines get clogged? How is it cleaned out? I have a 1971 350. I have disconnected it from the manifold and instrument panel already and was going to blow through it...any ideas? Could it be the guage ? How would that be tested? Thanks Jimmy

If you have a copper line to the oil gage, that might be your problem. Oil pressure lines are not made of coppe because it will crack due to engine vibrations. For 1971 the oil pressure line is plastic.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

Earlier gauges do not use copper either. They may look that way, but are actually copper coated steel. My line on a 63 is still fine. It's the bourdon tube in the gauge that's faulty (leaks).

Stu Fox

[Dick W.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

Jimmy, the pivot often sticks on these guages. If in fact your engine does have oil pressure, remove the guage cluster and apply a drop of 3 and 1 (or equivilent) light weight oil on the pivots (the shaft the needle is attached to). This should take care of that problem for another 38 years.

[Michael W.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

If you get it freed up I always try to fill the nylon/plastic line and gauge with a very low weight oil say like 3 in 1, sewing machine oil I have found this helps the gauge reading over a wide range of temperatures because it does not get very thick. The oil in this line does not readily mix with the engine oil because it like a one way street once its in it just stays there. Paul 18046

Better than that, leave the tube empty just like the factory did.

[Jim T.]

Re: Oil Pressure Guage

When I took delivery of my brand new 1970 Corvette the oil pressure guage did not work.
In actuality the guage did work, the engine had no oil pressure. First brand new car I had ever bought. I know why I have a CE block.
The guage has continued to work for over 38 years.
Replaced the plastic oil line with new GM replacement part in 1994 for reassurance of not loosing oil pressure due to a failed plastic oil line.