Low Oil Prssure on New Engine Rebuild

[Alan Kramer]

Today I started my freshly rebuilt turbocharged 7A (yes 7A, not 3B or AAN)
20v engine in my CGT.  Started immediatley on the first crank :), but I
watched as the engine approached operating temperature the oil pressure
steadily dropped from 5 bar (cold) to 0.5 bar at hot idle.   Oil Pressure
increases to 3 bar at 1750 RPM.  I'm running non-detergent straight 30
weight oil for break in.   I know my rings aren't seated yet, I'm definitely
burning some oil.

My question is, should I be expecting such a low oil pressure on a fresh
engine?  Perhaps due to the oil I've chosen for break in? Or am I likely
looking at some other problem?  I've also verified the sender is correct, I
swapped it with the one in my 4kq and got the same reading.  Last engine I
built that required breaking in had more "normal" idle oil pressure, but I
think I might've used a heavier viscosity break in oil.

Thoughts & comments are greatly appreciated,
Alan

'83 CGT 20vt
'90 v8q
'86 4kcsq

http://www.geocities.com/audikramer

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