I meant to ask this during the oil pressure thread that went by some weeks
ago. However, better late than never. I was out for a little drive
yesterday (about 200 miles each way) in the '77 B and noticed that my oil
pressure would decline steadily until it reached about 30-35 psi at
3000-3400 RPM after a couple hours of steady driving. At idle, the oil
pressure was about 10-12 psi. Oil pressure is typically about 65-70 at
cold start. The temp gauge indicated well below the midline (about 165, if
I remember a comment made last week correctly), which has been the normal
operating temp throughout the summer.
The engine was newly-rebuilt just before I bought the car in June and
hasn't leaked more than a couple dozen drops of oil on my drive since. (I
haven't checked to see what it does when I park it away from home.) All
fluids levels are fine.
The question is: Am I being unduly concerned or is the pressure too low
once the car is thoroughly warmed up? I am especially worried about the
very low idle readings, but the readings at 3K+ also concern me.
WARNING! Minimal meaningful lbc content follows
My drive was up to the New England MG Club's Down East show in Cape
Elizabeth, ME. Lots of nice cars, including a beautiful 1932 J and a 53Y.
Several T-types were in evidence, as well. Actually, there were more
T-types there than at the Vanderbilt Concours on Long Island the other
week!
I also saw the twin to my car, a Chartreuse '77 roadster. The cars looked
identical except his had a stereo and mine has an overdrive. I think I
won, which is my comment on the MG Tunes thread.
Bill Singleton
'52 TD (hers, in pieces in the garage)
'77 MGB (ours, we needed something fun to drive)
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