'88 Bronco 5.0 Oil pressure problem

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rinokid

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Hey Folks,

I have a '88 Bronco, 5.0 with an oil pressure problem like the title says. I just recently replaced plugs, plug wires, valve cover gaskets, pcv, and crankcase breather tube. 

Prior to all this I was losing oil like crazy: lose valve cover bolts. Previous owner did not replace with correct bolts. Also, when I would drive, mostly highway, oil pressure would be okay however, when I would begin to brake the pressure would bottom out according to the gauge. I have done some investigating and found the info of the Ford "idiot light gauge".

So, knowing that I have a worn out engine, more than likely, would it be advantageous for me to replace the factory gauge with a mechanical gauge; thereby knowing if I have good pressure? And if I do so where can I go to get the info on how to change factory to mech.?

I know eventually I will need to rebuild or replace the motor, but until then I need to keep 'The Beast' going. Any and all advise accepted.

Thank you, Rinokid

 

Bully Bob

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Oil press. is not affected by any gaskets. the pressure is determined by the resistance of oil passing thru the internal eng. parts.

(crank shaft, etc.)

YES, it's easy to mount an analog or even didital  oil press. gage.  There's extra oil ports on the block of most engines.

OR.., you can put a "T" fitting on the factory sending unit & install the new sender there.

You also have a choice of electric sender & matching gage OR the actual "mechanical" gage which runs oil thru a tube to the gage in the cab.

 
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Seabronc

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You can also help the situation until you are ready to rebuild or swap engines by using 10W50 and a quart of Lukas.

:)>-

 

miesk5

96 Bronco 5.0
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Yo r,

Welcome!

Sender Failure; "Corrosion or faulty electrical connections; If the oil pressure gauge is pegged low after the engine is running, or is pegged high after the engine is running, or if there is intermittent illumination of an oil pressure indicator light, the sender could be faulty. Related Components to Check; All appropriate electrical connections to and from the sender The oil pressure gauge or indicator light; Appropriate fuses (see Shop or Owner’s Manual for fuse layout)...

Source: by MOTORCRAFT®

Installation, Sunpro,w/T for stock gauge in an 86

Source: by Sixlitre (Malcolm H, Eddie Bauer) at http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/detail.php?id=4970&s=22156

Installation, Volt, Oil Pressure & Water Temp., Equus in an 86

Source: by Xris at http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/detail.php?id=5183&s=20556

 
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nelbur

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I believe your oil pressure sender is an on/off idiot light unit, which will drop to 0 if your actual oil pressure drops below about 5 psi.   It is common for old worn engines to drop in oil pressure at hot idle.   Try 20w50 to see if thicker oil can keep the hot idle pressure high enough to keep the gauge reading.   You can convert the sender to the variable sender of '86 and earlier but you may have to also deal with some resistors used to make your sender read mid range.   I would not give up on the engine until you learn what the actual oil pressure is, and of course a mechanical gauge would be a good choice.

 

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