SBC oil pressure?

[johnny knuckles]

I just installed a freshly built SBC 350 into my rod. I put a high volume Melling oil pump in it. On start up for the first time the oil pressure was 80psi... expected, as it warmed up to 160-180 degrees oil pressure was around 40psi...ok not bad.

But as I let it get to around 200-210 degrees the psi was around 20psi.... This concerns me. That seems really low to me for a freshly built SBC with a high volume pump.

Now all these reading were taking with the car in idle. The pressure does rise with throttle, and will stabilize at steaddy throttle. Also, when I allow it to cool down and then restart it, the pressure still starts out around 60psi.

I guess what I'm asking is do ya'll think something is wrong, or is this type of pressure to be expected at idle and operating temp.

please share your experience, and maybe what my target psi should be for this situation if I have a problem. Thanks.