Installed oil pressure gauge--2001 Ranger 2.3 DOHC

[TallPaul]

This is my 2001 Ranger with 77,000 miles on it running a fresh batch of Redline 5w20. So I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge tonight. Hot readings are great:

Idle: 20 psi

2000 rpm: nearly 40 psi (spec is 29-39 at this speed)

keeps going up to about 85 psi somewhere upwards of 4000 rpm.

Could not get it to 90 psi even with 5500 rpm runs.

Quite a range! Really would have thought that the bypass should open lower than 85.

 

[TallPaul]

Forget this thread. I have a better one here:
Report Your Oil Pressure Here
Am curious to see readings from various cars out there.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Next time try Redline 0w20, it's a little thinner than 5W20, to see if OP is sill in the low to mid 30's range.

 

[TallPaul]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Next time try Redline 0w20, it's a little thinner than 5W20, to see if OP is sill in the low to mid 30's range.
Nice idea. 8.2 cSt instead of 9.1 cSt. May have to do that.

 

[TallPaul]

As I installed the gauge yesterday I have new info to add:
Cold (40F) idle: 95 psi
Cold (40F) driving 108 psi

Yeow! I just wonder what the oil pump relief valve is supposed to relieve pressure, that is to limit the upper end. Now what will my pressure be at zero F? The filter takes 500 psi, and the nylon line for the gauge takes 200 psi.

 

[Clevy]

Wow.
This makes me wish I had time to install my oil pressure and temp gauges. I'd like to know how my modular 4v rates.
With that kind of volume a 20 grade seems almost ideal,any thicker would increase pressure and impede flow.
I'm not quite converted,once I see my engine then maybe I will relax a bit.

 

[TallPaul]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Wow.
I'd like to know how my modular 4v rates.

That Mustang 4V is a 4.6 right. If so it is twice my 2.3 displacement. Both DOHC 4V. I like to think of my little 2.3L as "half a Mustang."