What is a reasonable oil pressure range for a 1978 1800 Fiat Spider at approximately 80 degrees ambient temp? Running and idle. I am running a mechanical oil pressure gauge that is hooked into the port that comes out of the side of the oil filter mount.
Thanks-
Dave
Oil Pressure Reading
-
dsnyder
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:56 am
- Your car is a: 1978 Spider
-
mbouse
Re: Oil Pressure Reading
dave, are you running the stock Veglia electrical oil pressure gauge?
plus, have you abandoned the oil pressure light?
plus, have you abandoned the oil pressure light?
-
dsnyder
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:56 am
- Your car is a: 1978 Spider
Re: Oil Pressure Reading
There was no oil pressure switch when I bought the car just a little plug in the port. The wire is there but nothing to hook the wire to. I bought the prescribed pressure switch but there is not threaded hole I can find anywhere around the oil filter mount that the switch fits in. When I ground the wire, the light comes on so I know the system works. I had a VDO mechanical oil pressure gauge with a fitting that would fit in the hole where the plug was so I removed the plug and installed the mechanical gauge. Eventually I will figure out a way to get the pressure switch installed but because of the air conditioning compressor and the alternator, it is really tight to work on the oil filter mount.
-
mdrburchette
- Posts: 5754
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
- Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Re: Oil Pressure Reading
The service manual indicates high oil pressure. If I remember correctly, for my 72 1608 mine should read between 55 and 80 lbs of pressure. The 1800 engine may be slightly different. On the same note, we have built a new 1608 and Ron was contemplating working on the oil pump so the pressure wouldn't be so dang high. Anyone have any cons to this? High oil pressure is known to rob hp.
1972 124 Spider (Don)
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
-
mbouse
Re: Oil Pressure Reading
I've never been a fan of the electric oil pressure gauge i installed... though i do enjoy watching gauges as i drive... i installed a Veglia stock Spider gauge from a '74 into my two litre engine. i do see the difference between a full crankcase, and one needing a half or full quart of oil, even though i am never certain that the pressure indicated is accurate or worth the information.
more importantly, (the reason for my question) i can tell you from practical experience ---that in the dark when your eyes don't tend to gravitate to your gauge panel... a sudden appearance of a bright red dot grabs your attention a heck of a lot faster than a plummeting white needle on a black faced gauge.
don't under estimate the power and importance of that "idiot" light. if yours is not currently hooked up, i would consider getting it back on the functioning circuit.
more importantly, (the reason for my question) i can tell you from practical experience ---that in the dark when your eyes don't tend to gravitate to your gauge panel... a sudden appearance of a bright red dot grabs your attention a heck of a lot faster than a plummeting white needle on a black faced gauge.
don't under estimate the power and importance of that "idiot" light. if yours is not currently hooked up, i would consider getting it back on the functioning circuit.