I don't have a pressure gauge on my Rover 3.9 but I have experience of
other Aly v8 s and other Rover engines.
My P3 2.103cc Rover 6cyl ran at 35-40 psi till fairly dead and then at 10 at
idle and 35 at 3000rpm. The oil pressure gauge worked like a bit of a rev
counter. I re conditioned the engine when I got only 10 at higher rpm.
When I ran my Aston Martin aly V8 initially I never ran it for long enough
to get the oil hot. The oil pressure was 65-70. When on the first long trip
around the UK on a hot Easter and stuck in traffic the oil temp got up to
just over operating temp (and so did I) and then I saw the oil press drop to
10 psi at idle. I has visions of a super expensive engine overhaul. We got
to Scotland. I popped into the Edinburgh AM agent and asked about the
symptoms. He told me that normal oil pressure at operating temp is measured
at 3000rpm and is 65-75 and at idle it will be 10-15.
Take from that what you will. I understand that there are 2 schools of oil
pressure in engine design and AM and Buick/Rover are in one camp (with
others in the automobile and aviation industry) and more "popular" vehicles
are in the other. Both work and I have no preference.
Just make sure the oil is under 5000km old and replace the filter every
10,000km.
Burning oil is not too much of a problem, oil is cheaper than a recon. Older
Rover engines were designed to use I pint of oil every 500 to 1000miles. The
contemporary Mk 2 Ford Zephyr "didn't burn oil" and were supposedly were
better.
At 50,000 miles the Ford was using lots of oil and the Rover had perfect
bores and still using the same amount.
Americas cup starts today, first race in 3 centuries without the Americans!!
Richard Niven
20 Tanera Crescent
Brooklyn
Wellington
384 2509
025 499 566
richard.niven@clear.net.nz
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