59A engine oil pressure

FRANK PKNY

FRANK PKNY

Well-known member
Should a 59a engine have 50lb or 80lb oil pressure gauge with it? I was under the impression that in 41 they went to 80lb oil pressure set up. Thanks Frank pkny
 
The 59A engine would have the 80 lb sender if that is what you mean,if the car or truck you are putting it in is earlier with original gauge you will need 50 lb sender. From what I have seen in parts book it shows the #48 9278 (50lb sender) was used in pass and commercial 1935-1942,and the #41A 9278 (80lb) was for 44-48Pass and 44-47 comm.
 
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I guess that's where my question falls short . I think the 59 A engine was in the 1941 and 1942 was it not? If it was was it an 50 lb engine or an 80 lb engine? Thanks Frank pkny
 
If I have it right, you're asking what oil pump you have... I have opened up a couple of 59ab's to find the old long style pump. My green book seems to agree with this...
Functionally, hot idle for my fairly tight, almost new 59ab is 38 pounds, highway speed-63 or so... I believe that any engine only needs about 30 pounds, so big oil pumps, stretching springs or modifying by pass systems to have lots of pressure only stresses oil pump and drive, robs power, wears parts... Karl
 
I would add that it depends on 3 things, the engine, the sender and the guage. And therein lies the "rub". If you have a 59AB engine in a '36 coupe like I have, and want to use the stock guage you're out of luck! the 80# sending unit will give you an inaccurate reading and the 50# unit will give you a reading off the scale. The only alternative for accurate readings I can think of is using a quality modern guage cluster under the dash. I guess when you start changing things from stock (putting in the 59AB engine), unintended things happen!
 
i have a 1940 motor i just bought..it says 59 a on the heads.did someone switch them or is that correct.i heard it run and it had 80lbs of pressure.would a 40 v8 be a 59A motor
 
Idle pressure sounds a bit high mate..assuming idle is between 500 / 1000 rpm........
Oil could be "sand blasting" a bit at idle............
My worked 8ba uses the short body pump ....It runs 40/45 idle @1000 rpm 70/75 at the top end....starting from 2000 rpm up.........JMO
 
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