Mystery? I need help...!! Panic!

[cruising]

I have spent hours searching this site trying to play detective. I give up please help!
Very excited about taking 10 year sleeping 230 sl down to the carwash and auto store. Just lined tank, changed oil and filter, replace plugs, points, new fuel pump, fuel filter, flush tank and lines, flush system, replace shift rod bushings.
After jumping of the battery. She started up, quickly learned to shift to number 2 and then 4. Noticed she wasn't shifting smoothly and difficulty increasing speed. Pulled over facing down on a hill and placed in park didn't want to hold the park postition. Was able to get her up to 40mph. All the gauges seemed ok. When I would slow down for a stop light she would die. Returning home she started to die looked at gauges shocked to see the gauge on the bottom left say 45! This gauge says Tank at the top and oil on the bottom. Have I ruined my car??

[ja17]

Check your oil level Amy.   If it is ok remove the oil filter canister and see if the filter is plugged up. Check the canister for any debris or metal.

[cruising]

Thank you, I will! It's stored across town so I will do that in the next few days. Thought I should get transmission oil, anti- freeze changed too.
Any other advice would be appreciated.

[Jordan]

Amy, the needle on the bottom left gauge is for the oil pressure and it should read 45 when you are driving.  If the car is sluggish you may have a fuel delivery problem, perhaps an obstruction along the way.  Check to make sure you have adequate pressure and volume at the IP and at the return line at the gas tank.  You may want to check all three filters as well (gas tank, fuel pump and fuel filter at the engine) even though you have replaced them.  Maybe some of the tank lining has come off and has plugged one of the filters.  Also check to make sure your timing and the dwell are correct.  Other more knowledgable members can certainly add more if these are OK.

[ja17]

Hello Amy,

Your first email is a bit confusing.   Do you mean that your oil gauge was "0" when the car was running? Your oil pressure will increase or decrease depending on your engine RPMS. So if the car was ready to die your oil gauge may show a low pressure.  Most of these engines show 45 on the oil pressure gauge when the cars are running down the road at RPMS above idle.

Make sure your oil level is correct before you start it again. Next change oil and filter as soon as possible if it has not been done in a while.