1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

My daughter just bought a beautiful, original, low mileage 1988 Chevy shortbed 4X4 with a 350/automatic. She is getting ready to driving home (750 miles) and sent me a picture of the oil pressure gauge and the light that come on at a stop light when pressing the brake hard. I've never owned a truck like this and was wondering if they have gauge issues? I hope!
Dang, sorry for the gigantic picture
https://s1.postimg.org/6b2957yy7/IMG_1391.jpg

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

https://s3.postimg.org/zc5h7qpdb/IMG_1390.jpg https://s3.postimg.org/pg4e83jlb/IMG_1392.jpg

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

Oil gauge sender located behind distributor. I have an '88 also & my gauge is inconsistent.

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

Thanks mountie, I'm sure hoping it's just a gauge issue. I wont be able to check it till she gets home.

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

If the pressure is actually low, ..just listen to the noisy valve train.

>>>> the last time the oil filter was changed?>>>>>>

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

Sounds obvious but make sure it has the correct amount of oil in it, i only say this because of the hard braking might be emptying the sump. gluck

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

Thanks y'all, oil is full and was recently changed.

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

Nope. Gauge sender is at the rear of the driver's side exhaust manifold. Oil sender switch is behind the dist. I have this same problem and I know my engine's still in great shape internally.

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

Once again thanks y'all, my heart is at ease...

Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?
 

yeah, my 1990 was the same way for a few years. pretty much the exact same pressure at idle. i didnt think anything of it as ive had a few older 80s chevys that were the same way, had a old k5 that would drop down to zero after like 20 minutes of driving it.

what i did in my 1990 was put a bottle of lucas oil treatment in it and it bumped the oil pressure up. so who knows if it just cleaned out the sending unit or actually cleaned out the oil passages. but i idle at like 30-45psi depending where the engine temp is.