Oil Pressure question

[230slhouston]

Hi All,
I took my 230 SL for a 5 mile ride today (first time on the road in 20 years). I drove it a 40 MPH and it seems to be OK, it may need the tiimg to be set with a timing light though, a bit sluggish on take off.

The mileage is 75000 Miles, these are from all the records that came with the car before it was warehoused.

Can you help with the specs for oil pressure? Here is what I get:
Cold start up: 45 PSI
Warmed up: 30 PSI at about 1000 RPM ( I need to set the idle)
Gear selected: 15 PSI at 600 to 700 RPM.

When driving about 10 MPH, pressure is just above 30 PSI RPM is about 2000.

At 2500/3000 RPM, needle goes up to 45PSI.

What grade of oil is recommended, not knowing better, I used 10W30 Castrol.

Thanks
MBP
1966 230 SL ( I can include this now)

[Mike Hughes]

Pressure does not seem too low for an engine of that age amd mileage.  I would be concerned it it did not "peg" above about 2500-3000 rpm when at normal operating temperature though.  You didn't mention that in your post.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[230slhouston]

Mike,
Temperature reached was 180 F, it did not go higher. I assume this is normal operating temp.

Thanks
MBP

[Raymond]

Your choice of oil is fine.  Especially in the cooler temperatures. The pressure should be high.  Pegged at 45 is normal.  My engine is freshly rebuilt and the pressure rarely drops below 30.  

180 Fahrenheit is the perfet operating temperature.



Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe