What is the ideal oil pressure for a AMC 360?

[yumyum1667]

Anyone have an opinion on what is ideal?

[jeepsr4ever]

Yes!

Their are a few factors working against the strong oil pressure in a AMC V8


1. oil filter bypass
2. thermal expansion of the oil pump cavity
3. poor choice of oil filters
4. the bad priority for the oil to get to the camshaft and top end before the crankshaft

What was it exactly you were having a hard time with

[yumyum1667]

Well I took your advice and tried a Wix filter. My oil pressure is a little better. At highway speeds it stays between 40-50psi.

At hot idle though it stays around 10-13psi. My TSM says this is normal but we all know the AMC 360's do not have the longest life stock.

What should be my next step?

[jeepsr4ever]

I would look to a oil pump kit (gears spring plunger gasket) and a uppgraded oil filter adaptor. This will ensure that you arent bypassing your filter and your pump is optimum for its age and wear.

[Drew]

I would look to a oil pump kit (gears spring plunger gasket) and a uppgraded oil filter adaptor. This will ensure that you arent bypassing your filter and your pump is optimum for its age and wear.

I'm reading and following this info with interest in the same dilema, what oil pump kit are you suggesting ? Would the Oil Filter bypass kit from Bulltear accomplish the same thing ?
Thanks,
Drew

[jeepsr4ever]

Drew

Depending on your age and mileage the motor should be between 40-60 cold and 20-40 at idle warm....not hot (overheated). When your engine has gotten warm a number of times the spring in the oil filter bypass gets fatigued and the pressure bypass spring as well that starts the ball rolling on bearing damage. The system works against itself with the oil and foreign particulate getting to the pump before it gets to the filter. The pumps in stock form are very weak and can be scored very easily so we have developed a performance coating for the pump cavity (nickel plating) which is many times harder than the cast aluminum. The coating is soo hard that when you install new gears and turn them dry you will have harmonics that sound very tinny. The oil filter adaptor upgrade is the updated filter adaptor that doesnt have the oil filter bypass. The oil filter bypass was cast in by Chrysler after it bought out AMC. The upgraded oil filer adaptors were first believed to be a Chrysler decision however recent talks with engineers from Renault say that AMC had planned on discontinuing the oil filter bypass by 1984 but didnt implement the tooling change before AMC had money crunches (thanks to Renault) and were bought out by Chrysler.

Gears get destroyed as they are simply a pressure cast soft metal. The pump cavity and the top of the oil filter adaptor get scored easily as well so anything you can do to help solve these issues (like performance coatings) will help you maintain proper pressure and volume of oil to areas like bearings where they are needed most.

[Drew]

So to be sure I'm protecting my stock 360 w/88,000 on speedo I should upgrade to the oil filter upgrade kit which would include new pump ( gears, stronger spring, etc.) and to make it easier to change filters as often as I like to I could get the oil filter relo kit ? I had understood that your oil filter relo kit included an upgraded pump, I guess I misunderstood that.
This engine runs great and I want to continue that. My Oil is running about 40-60 at highway speeds and higher RPM's and 8-12 at idle, it's a mechanical gauge so I trust it more than the stock electric. I'd just like to have a little more assurance I'm not bypassing the filter and getting all the psi I should.
Thanks,

[Blown7]

Drew

Depending on your age and mileage the motor should be between 40-60 cold and 20-40 at idle warm....not hot (overheated). When your engine has gotten warm a number of times the spring in the oil filter bypass gets fatigued and the pressure bypass spring as well that starts the ball rolling on bearing damage. The system works against itself with the oil and foreign particulate getting to the pump before it gets to the filter. The pumps in stock form are very weak and can be scored very easily so we have developed a performance coating for the pump cavity (nickel plating) which is many times harder than the cast aluminum. The coating is soo hard that when you install new gears and turn them dry you will have harmonics that sound very tinny. The oil filter adaptor upgrade is the updated filter adaptor that doesnt have the oil filter bypass. The oil filter bypass was cast in by Chrysler after it bought out AMC. The upgraded oil filer adaptors were first believed to be a Chrysler decision however recent talks with engineers from Renault say that AMC had planned on discontinuing the oil filter bypass by 1984 but didnt implement the tooling change before AMC had money crunches (thanks to Renault) and were bought out by Chrysler.

Gears get destroyed as they are simply a pressure cast soft metal. The pump cavity and the top of the oil filter adaptor get scored easily as well so anything you can do to help solve these issues (like performance coatings) will help you maintain proper pressure and volume of oil to areas like bearings where they are needed most.

So M.C. Continental aircraft engines have the same style pump but with hardened gears, they work fine for years even if the housing gets scoured. Time maybe for you to make some. I'll buy a set if you make em and be a Guinea Pig. Jeff

[jeepsr4ever]

True Jeff they use nickel as well... Hardened gears...hmmm. We are in the process of making .003-.005 oversize gears

[Mudrat]

Hell, I and I just bought the cover and pump 'cause it was shiney

Not really - had this discussion with MC a few months ago and stuck one on my rebuilt 360 - now I just gotta get it in the CJ to see if it works
Pat