Engine/Gage Issues - 83 360

Hello,

First post here after new ownership of 1983 360 Commander; wife and I made the long trip from Dungan Bay, MI to Erie, Pa. - 570 miles.

When entering Lake Erie from Detroit River we encountered some pretty rough seas; part way across Lake Erie (after some pretty hard pounding) I noticed the red oil pressure/temp gage/light come on; all the starboard side engine gages (on bridge) stopped working; I decided to shut the engine down and evaluate the engine in the bilge; the oil level looked good. I was able to restart the engine and checked the gages on the lower helm; the oil pressure looked good.

We ran the boat for another 3+ hours to make it to Geneva, Ohio; the engines ran/behaved as they did the entire trip; we tied up for the night. In the morning I checked the oil levels on both sides; the starboard required a little oil to be added; it consumed about 1qt after 8-10 hours of hard running time; this had been consistent the entire trip.

Fast forward; the next day we are ready to push off for the final leg of 60 miles to Erie; both engines start up; oil pressure looked good on both sides from lower helm gages.

I pull away from the the dock; after 5 minutes of running; the port side alarm sounds; oil pressure light warning comes on with buzzer and the engine shut itself down; I limp the boat back to the transient dock and shut down; a friend of mine (mechanic) drives out to our location since only and hours drive away. we check the oil levels and the lower helm gages at start up. All looks ok below. We decide to disconnect the oil pressure sensor wire from below in order to run the boat the last leg of trip (58 miles).

The engines perform as they did the past 500 miles; the gages on the bridge worked intermittently; with the port side tach staying on for most of the trip.

Our assessment concluded that the gages on the upper helm may NOT have a good ground; I have tried to assess what may be the culprit of this but I am finding it difficult to assess with all the wires under upper bridge.

I am not a mechanic but pretty versed in the workings on a boat; I am a slight loss here but feel the engines are solid as the performed consistently for 570 miles.

Appreciate any insight; thanks!

Greg