[JLMounce]

A general rule of thumb is 10psi of oil pressure per 1000 rpm. The original 462 that came in my 69 bird when I purchased it from the previous owner made about 10-12 psi at warm idle. That engine lasted 25 years and for a good period of it's life it pinged a good bit because of the combination of #62 heads and a smallish comp 280H camshaft that was put together before I got my hands on it.

I would be more concerned with what it's doing at higher rpms under load. If it's making 60+ psi at 5000 rpm under wide open throttle, it's likely fine and you just have wider bearing clearances.

There's a couple things you can do if you're worried about it though.

You can install an oil cooler which can help your warm viscosity. You can also bump up your idle rpm a bit which should provide a bit more idle oil pressure.

[chiphead]

I am not aware of a high volume oil pump for Pontiac other than a Luhn or something. There is a melling 60PSI pump and a 80PSI pump, same volume. If the oil pressure is going 100 PSI with 30wt, I'd expect it has the 80 PSI pump. Does it go over 65 PSI at high RPM when oil is hot?

Do you know the clearances and parts used? Does is list a PN for the oil pump?

I can't see a reason to run a single-weight oil in a street motor that doesn't have exotic internals. Maybe the builder is old school and is worried about a multi weight oil breaking down at high temps? Modern oils stand up to heat a lot better, it's not 1985.

[mgarblik]

You didn't mention what you are using for an oil pressure gauge. Since yoiu seem to be concerned, the best way to verify the concern is with a known, accurate, mechanical oil pressure gauge. Install one for diagnostic peace of mind. Then report back. If your relying on a factory gauge, they can read all over the map, both low and high, with the same gauge. As far as oil pumps go, Pontiac did make a very small oil pump in the early days, a 5/8" inlet tube and 40 PSI max pressure. But nobody uses them and I have no idea if they are even out there. Probably 90-95% of the Pontiacs running have a Melling M54DS or F54DS pump. Both have the same flow output, a 3/4" inlet tube, with a limit of 60 or 80 PSI. I doubt you have any issues but a test would probably make you feel better.

[GordonGeesey]

The engine builder notes specify the use of Driven-brand HR4 synthetic 10W-30 oil, which is what I'm using. Sorry for my earlier "shorthand" that said just 30-weight.

At full operating temp the observed OP above 3krpm is about 40-50lbs.

I'm monitoring the OP with an AutoMeter mechanical gauge, that is fed from the oil filter housing. I don't have any reason to suspect a faulty/inaccurate gauge reading.

I'm fine with the high OP at cold-start, and the 40-50lbs at (hot) cruising rpm. My biggest concern is the 8-9lbs at hot idle.