Engine No Oil Pressure…where to start?

[1979GabeCJ5]

Hello all,
I have CJ5 with the AMC 304 in it. I just got it running and I have no oil pressure at the gauge.

The gauge: Original gauge with 3 posts and a hole for a light. How do I test the gauge?

The pressure sending unit has one wire coming off and I’ve checked for continuity from where it attaches to sending into to where it attaches to gauge.

Where do I start with diagnosing?

 

[CJ]

The first thing and the most difficult is hook up a mechanical gauge.
I know that is hard but it is necessary. Don't trust your engine via a bad gauge.

 

[1979GabeCJ5]

The first thing and the most difficult is hook up a mechanical gauge.
I know that is hard but it is necessary. Don't trust your engine via a bad gauge.

Thanks for the speedy response, would you have a link for the correct one/a moderately priced one?

 

[CJ]

Any any auto store will have a kit for just a few bucks...

 

[jzak]

Ditto with CJ. I don't trust anything other than mechanical Oil gauges. Most auto part stores you can pick one up for like $10-15 bucks, and it's really not that hard to install. Maybe 1 hour. On the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , there's a block port you can hook it up too next to the oil filter.

 

[GreatCJ8]

Ditto with CJ. I don't trust anything other than mechanical Oil gauges. Most auto part stores you can pick one up for like $10-15 bucks, and it's really not that hard to install. Maybe 1 hour. On the 258, there's a block port you can hook it up too next to the oil filter.

Interesting does the actual gauge look like & fit the cjs dash? 85 here for ref.
Also, just to add in a semi-related tip for oil pressure. On my last (original) engine I started losing oil pressure and tried to avoid the inevitable of it sitting, again, for an extended down period. I wasn’t made of money with a young family so I tried an Elliott high-volumn (not high pressure) oil pump. I did see improvement but tbh it was too late.
Anyway, I'm interested! More reliability, 1 less electrical component to lose ground, die or draw on battery. Sounds like a win win win

 

[1979GabeCJ5]

Luckily, the advance auto near my house had a 100 psi Bosch Mechanical gauge on clearance for $6 bucks…nothing’s that cheap anymore. I got it plumbed in, I’ll follow up with an update—

 

[GreatCJ8]

Nice! Can't wait. While I'm in that system I plan on addressing the dipstick tube by removing it and replacing it with a shorty out of [Please correct me I need the right part # too] "an early CJ5 "? At least that's what another scrambler owner told me/showed me at the CJ8 Nationals this year. I love the idea as my dip-tube characteristically keeps unseating I need to change the oil after my last muddy trip. May as well do the pumpkins. Now I'm just #jeeprambling

 

[1979GabeCJ5]

Hey fellas and fellettes, mechanical gauge works like a charm. Now that that’s sorted, I can move on to everything else, lol. I appreciate y’all’s input.