chas427fe Chas if the needle is pined at startup and you are not blowing the filter off the motor I would think the
oil pressure relief spring and nipple are working ok. Auto meter gauges are very good over many years. Have a set in the bird for over 15 years, never hd a problem or thinking the calibration are off.
Let's try 1 thing before you take the car to a mechanic. Change the
oil to 15W-40 rotella
oil and see what the pressures are after a drive. This oil will not hurt any thing. I have been using it for 10+ years due to the
zinc and other additives removed from the oil. I also add additives of EOS and Lucas to all my motors. Change the oil and filter, add 1 extra quart of oil to the system and drive it like you normally do. record the pressures and get back to us. DON'T have the motor idling for any more that 10-15 seconds. If you have to idle increase the rpms to 1,000. There is a 10-30 psi drop in pressure from the oil pump to the rockers. Clearances have alot to do with this and oil pressures. You may get lucky and the motor will respond. Drive it the rest of the summer and in your winter( if you have one
) Have the motor pulled and gone through, at least the bottom end and camshaft bearings. Rick L.