Oil pressure pegged

[bbbentley]

Originally Posted by big gear head

The bypass is only supposed to open when the oil filter is clogged.

Not true. At least with sbc & bbc. The bypass valve (BV) opens @ 17-18 lbs of pressure. The engine, while running, is constantly by-passing oil from the filter. In other words, while the engine is running, a % of unfiltered oil is always going through an engine. It was designed that way and that bypass should never be plugged. The engineers that designed the oiling system felt it was better to have some dirty oil, than no oil at all.
Back to the OP. There are only 3 causes of pegged oil pressure I am aware of 1) defective gauge- get another gauge and test to rule out gauge 2) stuck pressure relief valve in oil pump- remove pump repair or replace ( 2nd option preferable) 3) oil galleys plugged with foreign matter-tear down engine.