My 1984 El Camino has a 229 c.i. V-6 (3.8 L), with 141,000 miles on it (or maybe more, since the odometer was exceeded when I bought it).

Today I noticed the oil pressure was about 15psi when the engine was warm and I was sitting at a stop light (auto transmission), and the pressure would get up to about 35 psi when I was accelerating, and level off around 30 psi during constant driving speeds.

I want to know if this is normal behavior. Or is it a bad sign? I read the thread about "Choke light question." (http://necoa.org/postlite1955-oil+pressure&.html;sid=9b75a2227ec339f3617588ac8a1486b4) which seemed to show a similar problem. I don't think I have owned a car with an oil pressure gauge before, so I don't know what to expect, but I thought I'd see a more constant pressure.

That sounds about right for a worn 305. I think my MC SS run at 35-40 at cruise. As long as you have pressure, don't worry much about the numbers.

Oil pressure in a running engine is not constant at all times. It will be lowest when the engine is up to temperature and idling. When accelerating or cruising, the oil pressure will be higher.

Thanks Tommy and spoonplugger, that's what I wanted to know.