The 'E' Type Forum

I have just finished the restoration on my 1967 series 1 OTS. The engine was completely rebuilt with a new oil pump. However I have noticed that after the car has been standing for a few hours there is a delay on startup of about 3 seconds before the oil light goes out. I think this is a little too long? If I stop the engine and immediately restart the light will go out straight away.
I just like to get a little feedback on whether this is normal.

I don't have a light but I have 4 cars with XK engines. In all of them it takes 5 to 10 seconds before oil pressure comes up on the gauge.

The gauges work on the basis of thermocouple and it takes time for the metal to heat up.

I have a separate light to my gauge and when starting with 3/4 choke the light extinguishes pretty quickly and approx. 1-1.5 seconds after it fires.

DWW wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 01, 2022 11:19 am

The gauges work on the basis of thermocouple and it takes time for the metal to heat up.

I think you mean bimetal based, where the bimetal in the gauge deflects in proportion to the current supplied by the sender.

Thermocouples are an electrical junction of 2 dissimilar metals generally used to measure temperature.

It's a commonly made mistake so no big deal.

Regards

Newly rebuilt engine.....what pressure is your pressure switch rated at....genuine part or after market....you need a mechanical oil pressure guage to see whats really going on....without one its just speculation..what your seeing isnt really abnormal as far as im aware.......Steve

Am I the only one asking “oil light? On a 67 4.2?” Mine doesn’t have an oil light.

Perhaps he's thinking the alternator light is for oil pressure?

The poster is in Canada...a 67 registered car there could be a 66 build in UK....poster says he has an oil pressure lamp....he could even have an after market fitting...Steve