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1937 322 oil pressure question

Started by Cadillac Jack 82, May 17, 2019, 07:55:25 AM

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Cadillac Jack 82


Guys:

I drove my 37 Lasalle to work today and everything seemed to go great until the last leg of my journey.  I drove maybe 20 miles or so and about 60% of that was cruising at 55-60 MPH.  The car ran fine but I noticed my oil pressure was hovering around 25 or so.  When I got towards my exit it was reading more like 18.  When I stopped at the light...it was below 15 and reading what looked to be 10 or so.  When I finally get to my parking garage I stop the car and its reading really low...like as if its 8 or so. 

The engine doesn't seem to be ticking that much but it did have a bit of a tick (not too loud though).  When I lifted the side hood I noticed a little bit of oil sitting towards the valley near the timing chain cover.  There was also a small spot of oil on the frame just below the filler cap.  I'm wearing a suit today so I can't jump in their to work on it but is this a fitting issue or do I potentially have a gasket issue with the timing chain?
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Cadillac Jack 82


On a side note the oil pressure gauge will read higher if I rev the engine when parked so I know its not completely a pump issue.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

harry s

The crankcase ventilating system consists of an outlet on each of the two valley covers. There is a grommet or gasket with a tube that goes into the intake system. The front tube connects into the bottom of the intake manifold and the rear one extends up and feeds into the rear of the air cleaner. As to the oil pressure I wouldn't be too concerned as long as your oil level is consistent. I'm not sure what weight oil you are using but 20/50W wouldn't hurt as long as you have the zinc.       Harry
Harry Scott 4195
1941 6733
1948 6267X
2011 DTS Platinum

Cadillac Jack 82


Right now I'm using Valvoline VR1 SAE 30.  I picked that because a classic car friend recommended it to me due to the higher zinc content.  I also added 1/4 a quart of Marvels Mystery Oil. 
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Cadillac Jack 82


Harry BTW I don't think I'll make the show in Greenbelt this year.  I have prior commitments out in Loudoun County this weekend which will prevent me on getting to the show.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.

My 37 does that when it gets hot. Has not been a problem and I use 30W oil.

The Johnny
John Washburn
CLC #1067
1937 LaSalle Coupe
1938 6519F Series Imperial Sedan
1949 62 Series 4 Door
1949 60 Special Fleetwood
1953 Coupe DeVille
1956 Coupe DeVille
1992 Eldorado Touring Coupe America Cup Series

Bobby B

That oil pressure sounds about right. If you're paranoid, try putting a remote modern gauge on there to compare.
                                                                                               Bobby
1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe
1968 Mustang Convertible
1973 Mustang Convertible
1969 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
1971 Datsun 240Z
1979 H-D FLH

DaveZ

I'm with what the others said. Yours sounds about right. Driving down the road mine is around 30 and after it gets hot and idling around 10. If the lifters are not making noise you are good to go. Low oil pressure presents itself there first:-)  What I have notice on any engine that we have rebuilt the front camshaft bearing seems to take the brunt of force and wears more then the others lowering pressure. Just what I have noticed and can't say that is gospel:-)
Regards,
David Zitzmann
1932 345B

Cadillac Jack 82


Thanks everyone!  I was just paranoid that I had a major issue at hand.  The only noise I here is a tick but I believe that to be a exhaust manifold crossover leak that others have mentioned is a problem with Cadillac flatheads.  Its whisper quiet when it starts up and up to the point when it warms up.  When its hot I here the exhaust tick-tick at idle but not during acceleration.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV