I've got 0-80 psi gauges.  Given the view angle and interpolation required on a 0-150 gauge my rebuilt was probably not that much different. My '85's idle pressure likely wouldn't even show on a 0-150 gauge!  I'm running Red Line 20w-50 this summer, so maybe I'll get an extra psi or two.  Last year I ran Mobil 1 15w-40, and hot idle was around 8 psi, 21 psi at 3000 rpm.  I know, I'm at the wear limit.

VDO should make a 0-40 psi gauge for the Vanagon so it wouldn't look so frighteningly low! ;-)

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 5:34 PM
To: 'Stuart MacMillan'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Trip and tire report

I have the sensor taped off the center cam bearing. 
I am using a VDO 0-150 psi gauge with the 2 post sensor. The "wk" I turns the ppressure light on around 11 psi. I sue the Mobil 1 15w-50. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart MacMillan [mailto:stuartmacm@gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 5:01 PM
To: 'Dennis Haynes'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Trip and tire report

I've never had pressure that high, even with a freshly rebuilt engine, which was 10-12 at idle and 30-35 at 3000 rpm. Are you measuring at the center bearing like the sender does, or at a bypass plate on the oil filter?  I'd expect to see higher pressure at the filter.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dennis Haynes
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2015 6:16 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Trip and tire report

I have done many an oil cooler set up this way. Fun Bus has been running with a 16 plate cooler in front of the radiator since it was near new. At 283K and the motor has never been opened I consider the installation successful. It still gives 40-45 psi oil pressure cruising and the oil temp is normally between 180-190F. In real hot weather with AC and 70-75 mph cruising the oil temp will climb to 210 or a bit higher. In extremes like mountain climbs in lower gears I have even hot 240f with this set up. Still no oil pressure warning buzzers or flickering warning light at idle. I still usually see 10-15 psi at idle. I am using a combination of 1/2 inch hose and 5/8" copper tube. Compared to the size of the galleys and ports in the engine the pressure drop is small and the lower temperatures more than compensate. 

Dennis