High oil pressure?

Charles Rainey · 06-25-2011, 12:29 PM

I would like to add my $.02 worth and I dont want to step on any toes. Oil pressure within a engine is determined by resistance that is "seen" within the engine,etc tight or loose clearance, small holes versus large holes, programmed bleed off built within the engine. The relief spring only sets the pressure that it opens to bypass the pump. Theoretically you would want your bypass to open ever so slightly in operation so that it is not cycling too often. Yes you are correct on oil viscosity being a determining factor also. Thicker oil will have more resistance, therefore more oil pressure. There has always been a misconception that a high volume oil pump is a no no. But that is not necessarily true as resistance to flow(clearances will determine how much oil will go thru the engine). I have heard many people say that it will empty a oil pan. The only way that can happen is you already have too much clearance and the pump is trying to meet the demand. Many smart engine builders use HV pumps so as to have enough volume later in life of the engine as clearances begin to get larger from wear. Of course race engines are normally built with a pump that just meets its demand as the engine will never "wear out". Synthetics has change many facets of oiling as we can do things now that we could not do even 10 years ago. We can now run closer to the edge than we ever could with mineral base oils.
Hope I did not step on any toes. Sorry for the long dissertation
Charlie

06-25-2011, 12:29 PM	#7
Charles Rainey Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 40 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: High oil pressure? I would like to add my $.02 worth and I dont want to step on any toes. Oil pressure within a engine is determined by resistance that is "seen" within the engine,etc tight or loose clearance, small holes versus large holes, programmed bleed off built within the engine. The relief spring only sets the pressure that it opens to bypass the pump. Theoretically you would want your bypass to open ever so slightly in operation so that it is not cycling too often. Yes you are correct on oil viscosity being a determining factor also. Thicker oil will have more resistance, therefore more oil pressure. There has always been a misconception that a high volume oil pump is a no no. But that is not necessarily true as resistance to flow(clearances will determine how much oil will go thru the engine). I have heard many people say that it will empty a oil pan. The only way that can happen is you already have too much clearance and the pump is trying to meet the demand. Many smart engine builders use HV pumps so as to have enough volume later in life of the engine as clearances begin to get larger from wear. Of course race engines are normally built with a pump that just meets its demand as the engine will never "wear out". Synthetics has change many facets of oiling as we can do things now that we could not do even 10 years ago. We can now run closer to the edge than we ever could with mineral base oils. Hope I did not step on any toes. Sorry for the long dissertation Charlie