Vortec 454 oil pressure

Greg Beckham · April 8, 2020

I have a 1996 Vortec 454 reading low oil pressure at idle after warm-up, 131K miles, well maintained. After warm-up it will read between 4-8 pounds at idle and makes the check gauge like flicker. Yesterday I swapped out the sending unit; no improvement.

Question: Is there a place by the oil filter or other that I can tap with a mechanical gauge to confirm the situation? I am aware there were changes to the block in 1996, L-29/Gen. VI

I've researched and found some have gauge issues, others; sending unit; yet others having exactly the same symptom as me- it's actually the clearance in the bearings. I'm actually leaning towards it being bearing clearance issues and if so that sucks considering it being in a light duty truck, lots of BBC's used in heavy-duty applications with good longevity. I want to

Thank-you in advance.

tlaw91 · April 9, 2020

Hook this John up and check oil pressure. Good pressure at filter means bad bearings. Bad pressure at filter means bad oil pump.

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Doug_Scott · April 9, 2020

Attach mechanical gauge where the stock sending unit goes. I have never replaced an oil pump and have it correct low oil pressure. Back when I was serving my apprenticeship at a Chrysler dealership there was one winter where it seemed like I got two cars a week with the oil pressure idiot light coming on at hot idle. The shop foreman would have me change the oil pump every time. Everyone of those engines ended up 1 of 3 ways. Crankshaft and bearings, or engine rebuild or traded in. Oil pump didn't fix any of them. I did get one van with a 318 that came in that had zero oil pressure. It was over full of oil, yet not a drop came out when I removed the drain plug. The van had been sitting for a few weeks during the coldest January in decades. Was told to pull the engine, and when nothing came out of the oil pan I put the drain plug back in and went home. Next morning I pulled the plug again, this time I got about a gallon of water then the oil. Inside the engine was packed with that tan coloured sludge. That one got traded in.

pepper66 · May 7, 2021

Hi Greg, following up to your oil pressure/gauge issue above as I have same issue, 1996 454 dually below 150k miles. Any feedback would be great. Tks

ralph cruz · July 23, 2021

HELLO FELLOW READER ... I HAVE A 1997 VORTEC 454 MOTOR WITH 9K ONLY IN A MOTORHOME AND THE ISSUE I HAVE IS MY OIL GAUGE GOES FROM O TO 45 OR HIGHER OR 45 TO 0 AT IDLE ANY COMMENTS .