Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

My Standard 10 has always had a lowish readout on the oil pressure gauge once the engine has warmed up. Assuming the gauge is accurate (I've tried more than one gauge) what are the most likely causes, and remedies?

Duff oil pump? worn bearings?

thanks
Rick

[Stuchamp]

Does the Standard have a mechanical or electrical gauge?
If electrical, check it with a good mechanical gauge.
If it has a mech. gauage, make sure the line is not pinched or restricted.
Does the engine have high mileage?
I'm not familiar with your engine but these are the usual causes.
Worn main or rod bearings, oil pump, plugged oil pump screen, plugged oil filter.

Denny

[Cranki]

Are you running a 'modern' oil?

[Rick]

I had been using a reasonable quality 20/50, recently replaced with Castrol XL30 as per the original handbook. I found that it was burning this a bit so added some gloopy STP to thicken it up a little which has cured the slight oil burning issue. However oil pressure is still a bit iffy.

I've got a mechanical gauge fitted, replacing the original low oil pressure light.

I think it may be the mains which are worn, looking thru the paperwork that came with it, the engine was overhauled a few years back and not done much mileage since, however the crank was left alone, so my guess is the mains are original too, whereas big end bearings etc were replaced. I've got a spare engine in the garage which is reputed to be in good nick, so I can see an engine swap coming up soon :-(

cheers
Rick