Oil Pressure
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=144973
Printed Date: 05 Oct 2025 at 2:30pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Oil Pressure
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Subject: Oil Pressure
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 6:40pm
| I have a question about my wd45’s oil pressure when I start it up the needle on the gauge reads about N in the word Normal when warmed up it is at the mark right before the N how much pressure is this and is this something to worry about? Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: littlemarv
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 6:55pm
|
If I remember right, they are 30 psi gauges. Here's how I tested out my gauge at 10, 15, 20, and 30 psi.
   ------------- The mechanic always wins. B91131, WC23065, WD89101, CA29479, B1, Early B10, HB212, 416H |
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 7:12pm
|
I do believe I have read that before that they are 30 psi guages thanks for the pictures. I think I'd be okay then at 10 psi |
Posted By: littlemarv
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 7:18pm
|
Well, if it's on the mark before the N when it's warm, that might be around 5 psi. Which still might be OK, but I think she is worn. ------------- The mechanic always wins. B91131, WC23065, WD89101, CA29479, B1, Early B10, HB212, 416H |
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 7:31pm
| That’s what I was thinking is there anyway to increase this without a rebuild? |
Posted By: Stan R
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 7:34pm
| Heavier oil, but why? |
Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 7:53pm
|
Personally I don't think heavier oil does much good. It just increases friction to build pressure. Increased friction makes things hotter, and increases wear. I was told it's better to have lower pressure with spec oil than higher pressure with thick oil. Before I overhauled my B and Ford 8N, each tractor barely registered any oil pressure when hot. When I took them apart, all the bearings in both tractors looked nearly perfect, despite some wear after 70 years. Now, I've also heard that 5 lbs in a B/C/CA is perfectly fine, but I think on the W series, if the cam bearings are worn bad, that causes a lot of loss in pressure. But, maybe someone else can verify.
|
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 8:10pm
| Got to remember the general rule of thumb for low speed engines is 1 psi, for each 1000RPM... seen many a b, c, ca run for years at 5psi... |
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 8:12pm
| Ok I’ve got 30w oil and Lucas stabilizer in it |
Posted By: wayneIA
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 8:14pm
| On the WD 45 style engines, if the oil pressure is low usually changing cam bearings will bring it back up. The oil goes to the cam first and if the bearings are loose, you lose most of your pressure there. A friend had a similar issue, engine was pretty tight (very little blow by and made good power), but had very little oil pressure. We changed the cam bearings and brought the pressure back up. |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 8:47pm
| Put thicker oil in and increase the pressure maybe a couple of PSI. So you have slightly more pressure pushing at thicker oil. I don’t see that giving any better oil flow. |
Posted By: Gerald J.
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 9:12pm
|
Be sure the oil filter isn't a fluted paper junk filter. It needs to be filled with cotton fiber. The pressure drop of the filter sets the oil pressure in the bypass filter oil system. A few years ago filter makers changed the filters and destroyed AC engines. Also be sure there is a tube in the center of the filter. There is a pressure regulator valve that bleeds to the filter and its spring can sometimes be adjusted. Gerald J. |
Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 9:16pm
| And make sure the tube in the center of the filter base isn't pushed all the way down...mine was when I got it...it was often a "quick fix" to try and get some pressure built up. Pushing it down cuts off oil flow to the filter. |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 9:41pm
|
The filter is definitely the cheapest way to start. Get a Fram C159 filter on it. Heavier oil is not the answer. It only puts off the inevitable for a little while. I know of a dealer that puts it in tractors that they sell. Someone I know bought a backhoe from there. The engine seized with the hoe in a hole 11' deep! The engine couldn't pump the thick oil in cold weather. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 10:24pm
| I currently have a wix 57011 filter on it. |
Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 10:30pm
That's what I use. Nothing wrong with that.
|
Allis Wd45 wrote:Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 10:38pm
| Ok I’m not by the tractor now when I am I’ll post a picture of the oil filter mount to see if that’s right. |
Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2017 at 8:16am
| You're right on the line of being ok or low. Like others said, most likely is your cam bearings are worn. An up to snuff oil system usually has the needle straight up between the R and M at about 15 PSI |
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2019 at 11:17pm
|
I was just reading through this post. I currently have the oil pan off the engine to change the pan gasket. How much work is required to replace the cam bearings. I'm not necessarily going to change them just curious of what all needs to be done. ------------- WD45 IH Cub Cadet 149,1650,1250 #2 Cart, IH#2 Tiller |
Posted By: Don(MO)
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2019 at 7:33am
The engine will need to come out to get the cam bearing changed, like this.   ------------- 3 WD45's with power steering,G,D15 fork lift,D19, W-Speed Patrol, "A" Gleaner with a 330 corn head,"66" combine,roto-baler, and lots of Snap Coupler implements to make them work for their keep. |
Posted By: Brian G. NY
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2019 at 8:53am
|
[QUOTE=littlemarv] If I remember right, they are 30 psi gauges. Here's how I tested out my gauge at 10, 15, 20, and 30 psi. ______________________________________________________________ Marv, that is a clever idea! "Normal" oil pressure on a WD/WD-45 is 12 PSI at operating temp. Spiking to 25-30 PSI at cold start up is probably normal, especially if the oil pump and engine are in excellent condition. Of course we all know these engines seemingly last forever with the needle barely off the pin. |
Posted By: Adam Stratton
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2019 at 8:05pm
| Don, is that a special puller or how tricky is it for an amateur to replace? Ive got a 45 and a D14 on the list that both need that job done. |
Posted By: Don(MO)
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2019 at 10:36pm
Adam you can install them with a cam bearing driver like this and you might rent one from the parts store, if you are thinking about trying to do them send me a PM with your phone number and I will walk you through it.  ------------- 3 WD45's with power steering,G,D15 fork lift,D19, W-Speed Patrol, "A" Gleaner with a 330 corn head,"66" combine,roto-baler, and lots of Snap Coupler implements to make them work for their keep. |
Posted By: GARY(OH/IN)
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2019 at 1:28am
|
That 5# oil pressure on the little B's can make you money now and again. I was at an auction and bought a restored 1947 B with a Woods belly mower, L59 I think, for $850. All new rubber with the size on the bars yet hardly marked. New paint and decals, ran and drove nice, nice all the way around. It was a consignment sale and it was announced that after the rebuild it still only had 5# so the owner went and bought new. Auctioneer told me he was a city guy with alligator shoes. Next consignment sale I went to I saw a guy looking at mowers. Pitched mine and he watched the junk sell, then stopped over and bought the B for $1750. Good Enough. |
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2019 at 4:03am
|
Sounds like a little more work than I’m wanting to do at the moment. I will just leave it alone since these engines seem to run fine on 5-10 Psi. ------------- WD45 IH Cub Cadet 149,1650,1250 #2 Cart, IH#2 Tiller |
Posted By: Allis Wd45
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2019 at 7:03pm
 Looking at the pressure guage on my tractor I noticed the box that the letters are in is slightly longer than the pictures posted above. Is mine a 30psi guage or is it different since the face is slightly different? ------------- WD45 IH Cub Cadet 149,1650,1250 #2 Cart, IH#2 Tiller |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2019 at 7:32pm
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If someone hasn't already said so, just install a known good quality 30# gauge to see what you really have for pressure. ------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |