Engine Conrod bearings...

Your bearings look absolutely beautiful. I can see my reflection in them... Have you tried the Amsoil yet? I wonder how precise your mechanical oil pressure gauge can be, compared to an electrical one.

Conrod bearings...

I pulled the oil pan on my '03 Corolla yesterday to take a peak at the conrod bearings and check clearances.

Have a look.

Guess my low oil pressure isn't due to bearing wear (at least I assume the conrod bearings would show wear before mains as they are reciprocating parts and usually incur the most wear...anyone care to verify).

My Cardomain

Trav

See...this is something I wonder about also (the gauge).

It is the absolute cheapest oil pressure gauge on the market, I'm sure ($20). Sunpro mechanical from Advance Auto. I mean, it seems pretty accurate mostly. Everything is FINE until I start revving the engine high and that is what causes the oil pressure to dip down into the low 40's and upper 30's (@ 3000rpm) and runs about 5-10psi lower throughout the entire rpm range. Who knows....I need a 2" gauge to fit into the coin holder where my existing one is (got any suggestions??). Preferrably ~ $50.

I have not tried the Amsoil....where do you get it from?

As an aside - the crankcase was SUPER clean....just a very, very light tan deposit. NO build-up anywhere that I could see. Makes me happy that the synthetic is doing its job.

BTW - I ordered the Ultra oil SS oil filter. They're being slow about sending it, though. Think that will bump the pressure up some if I ever get it?

Late,
Trav

wow dont let jeff see this guys

www.amsoil.com

i used their synth 5w-30 and has about 12000 miles between an oil change while running it, car ran fine, oil came out clean its better than jesus juice

Connecting rod bearings are subject to more stress and eventually show oval wear. Oil pressure can also be affected by main or cam bearings, dirty pick-up screen, oil pump, etc... As it turns out, the mechanical gauge is said to be as precise as an electrical one.
In Canada, I can get Amsoil at any Canadian Tire store. Looks like your closest dealer is in Chuckey TN. Maybe you should become an Amsoil dealer and get it for less, or you can always order direct;https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/asl.aspx
The high flow SS filter should make a slight difference. You could try it on before changing the oil.