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hudsonguy

Last winter, I rebuilt a 262 for my '49, which I've got on the road now. It runs great, although I haven't been too hard on it yet, since there's only about 400 miles on the engine.

I was wondering about my oil pressure.

-At start up, it's about 35 lbs.

-On the highway, all warmed up, it's at 25-26 lbs.

-It never goes below 20 lbs. (very warm at low idle)

I used a like new oil pump rotor with no scoring whatsoever, and well within spec. I was meticulously clean in re-assembling, and can tell by my oil that everything inside is still that way.

Are these numbers kind of low? The manual lists 40 lbs. as normal, and I know other Hudsons (although they're mostly 308's) that run 35 lbs. or more all the time.

As always, I appreciate all of the 'sage' Hudson advice on this forum.

Thanks,

Doug

Rob_Fayette

If your oil pressure is 20 lbs at idle with the engine at normal operating temp's your oil pump output and bearing clearances are good. 20 lbs is the correct reading for this mode, but your oil pressure should be 40 lbs at approx. 2000 RPM when warm. Check and make sure that your pressure regulator spring is correct. If the spring is short or the wrong spring rate (to low) the regulator piston will off seat well before 40 PSI. - Fred Connors

hudsonguy

As far as the regulator spring being correct, I'm pretty sure that it is the original for this engine, and also matches the other 262 engine/spring that I have. The manual doesn't cover any spring dimensions or values, so I guess a person would just have to experiment with stiffer springs? Sounds like I better be DANG careful doing that!

Thanks

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