I come here completely lost and dumbfounded. So I just rebuilt my 22re, literally just hit the 800 mile mark today, but my oil pressure tanked to the point where it concerns me. When I first start the truck oil pressure is right in the middle. As I drive it and the engine warns up, pressure falls to the lowest notch on the gauge. So I did an oil change found it to be about a quart and a half low. So poured 5 quarts of 10w 40 in. Now the needle won't even get to the lowest notch and at idle it barley shows any pressure at all. I know factory sr5 gauges aren't the most accurate, it's a FRESH rebuild. I used fipg on the oil pan and have an oil leak from what I am hoping is the back of the valve cover, but haven't had time to check. And I don't think my bearings could have gone bad that fast. Any one think of something that I'm missing?

 

I would check the oil pressure with a manual gauge first, just to make sure your factory gauge isn't faulty. Then I would go from there.

 

That's what I'm planning on but could the gauge go bad that quickly? I know the dash portion worked before the rebuild and it work 500 miles ago just fine.

 

It could with the age of our trucks. You never really know until you do some tests.

 

When you rebuilt the engine did you go with a new sending unit ??

It does not take much to block those or it could just be a poor electrical connection.

manual gauge see just what pressure you have and go from there.

 

all new bearings? Were the journals sized? (PlastiGauge)

Oil pressure is "created" because the oil finds it difficult to squeeze past the bearings. As they get looser, there is less back pressure, so less oil pressure.

 

Well to answer a few of these, I didn't replace the send uniting unit. And just realized I have an extra on the old block that came out of the truck. I'll try switching them. And yes I put in brand new bearings and I installed then myself. I was actually surprised by how well the crank shaft looked after how ever many miles it has on it. It had no scratches that you could feel with your fingernails and hardly any scuffing. Everything turned smoothly. I'll try swapping units and get back. Thanks everyone who replied

EDIT: also don't have a manual guage yet, but will buy one come payday