Oil pressure question

Mike Pearson · 08-01-2018, 08:47 AM

Ron,
I have been running a Moroso Billet pump in my 350. I had one of the Melling pumps break off and kill the engine. No more Melling pumps for me. Could be an issue with the pump. The billet pump does not have a standard pick up. it pulls the oil right from the bottom of the pump.

bry-war · 08-01-2018, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Ron,
I have been running a Moroso Billet pump in my 350. I had one of the Melling pumps break off and kill the engine. No more Melling pumps for me. Could be an issue with the pump. The billet pump does not have a standard pick up. it pulls the oil right from the bottom of the pump.

Order up rebuild parts for your moroso billet pump and you will get melling parts.

BW

HP HUNTER · 08-05-2018, 06:46 PM

Type of cam bearings? BBC - you have to pay very close attention to cam to cam bearing clearance, at least that's what I've found. When you drop pressure on a run its usually a windage issue, type of pan and amount of oil?

Ed Wright · 08-05-2018, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP HUNTER

Type of cam bearings? BBC - you have to pay very close attention to cam to cam bearing clearance, at least that's what I've found. When you drop pressure on a run its usually a windage issue, type of pan and amount of oil?

I was thinking amount of oil. Or, drain back issue. Returns blocked off? Personally, I would try adding a quart.

CMcAllister · 08-05-2018, 07:58 PM

I like -3 for pressure gauges. It's more responsive than -4 due to the reduced volume in the line. If using a Racepak, why not go total electric and use a transducer?

Ron Gusack · 08-06-2018, 09:57 AM

[QUOTE=Ed Wright;569241]I was thinking amount of oil. Or, drain back issue. Returns blocked off? Personally, I would try adding a quart.[/QUOTE
My last oil analysis was the last 26 runs from 2017 and that oil sat in the car over the 2017 winter. I forgot to send it in until a few weeks ago and when I got it back it showed 5% fuel dilution. My only explanation for that is a couple start ups in pretty cold weather over the winter with no choke and a very lean idle circuit. I just sent in a sample for the first 31 runs this year and if the dilution numbers are still bad I'm thinking that could be the issue.

The oil is fresh now and if pressure doesn't improve, I'll add a quart and see what happens.

Ron Gusack · 08-06-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP HUNTER

Type of cam bearings? BBC - you have to pay very close attention to cam to cam bearing clearance, at least that's what I've found. When you drop pressure on a run its usually a windage issue, type of pan and amount of oil?

Cam bearings are King's but I don't know part number. The pan is a 7 quart Moroso which is basically a stock pan with a deeper sump, nothing special. I run 6 quarts of Penn 10-30. It's possible that I have the pickup to close to the pan. I recently read a post that said it should be about 1/2" and I've always put mine at 1/4 to 3/8.

HP HUNTER · 08-06-2018, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Gusack

Cam bearings are King's but I don't know part number. The pan is a 7 quart Moroso which is basically a stock pan with a deeper sump, nothing special. I run 6 quarts of Penn 10-30. It's possible that I have the pickup to close to the pan. I recently read a post that said it should be about 1/2" and I've always put mine at 1/4 to 3/8.

I run the pick up .310 off the bottom of the pan. I use coated Durabond cam bearings. The Durabond CH12 bearings go oval, never use these, especially if clearance isn't maintained. 6 quarts is fine if there's no excessive leaks. What is inside your pan?

Ron Gusack · 08-06-2018, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP HUNTER

I run the pick up .310 off the bottom of the pan. I use coated Durabond cam bearings. The Durabond CH12 bearings go oval, never use these, especially if clearance isn't maintained. 6 quarts is fine if there's no excessive leaks. What is inside your pan?

I used to run a windage tray but after hearing many many opinions on the disadvantage/advantage of using this type, that type or none, I decided to not run one. The pan has the 2 layer sheet metal tray spot welded in just like the factory pans did. So that's all I have in it. Pressure stays up after the stripe but I don't run big numbers and ease off the throttle so there's not a lot of negative G's.

nhramnl · 08-07-2018, 10:35 AM

OK, I'm going to step right into the line of fire here, and ask what's so bad about the oil pressure figures you're seeing? If you've got enough pressure, and more important, volume to keep everything lubricated (i.e. you're not burning cam bearings, pushrod tips or rocker arms), why are you worried? Ask the majority of Stock and Super Stock guys what kind of pressures they see from the starting line to the traps and I think you'll relax. I haven't seen 50 psi for decades, at any time.

08-01-2018, 08:47 AM	#1
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,450 Likes: 615 Liked 1,930 Times in 580 Posts	Re: Oil pressure question Ron, I have been running a Moroso Billet pump in my 350. I had one of the Melling pumps break off and kill the engine. No more Melling pumps for me. Could be an issue with the pump. The billet pump does not have a standard pick up. it pulls the oil right from the bottom of the pump. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

08-05-2018, 06:46 PM	#3
HP HUNTER Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Colorado Springs Colorado/Thousand Oaks Ca Posts: 656 Likes: 82 Liked 372 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Oil pressure question Type of cam bearings? BBC - you have to pay very close attention to cam to cam bearing clearance, at least that's what I've found. When you drop pressure on a run its usually a windage issue, type of pan and amount of oil?

08-05-2018, 07:58 PM	#5
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 614 Likes: 16 Liked 920 Times in 259 Posts	Re: Oil pressure question I like -3 for pressure gauges. It's more responsive than -4 due to the reduced volume in the line. If using a Racepak, why not go total electric and use a transducer?

08-06-2018, 09:57 AM	#6
Ron Gusack Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 244 Likes: 1 Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Oil pressure question [QUOTE=Ed Wright;569241]I was thinking amount of oil. Or, drain back issue. Returns blocked off? Personally, I would try adding a quart.[/QUOTE My last oil analysis was the last 26 runs from 2017 and that oil sat in the car over the 2017 winter. I forgot to send it in until a few weeks ago and when I got it back it showed 5% fuel dilution. My only explanation for that is a couple start ups in pretty cold weather over the winter with no choke and a very lean idle circuit. I just sent in a sample for the first 31 runs this year and if the dilution numbers are still bad I'm thinking that could be the issue. The oil is fresh now and if pressure doesn't improve, I'll add a quart and see what happens.

08-07-2018, 10:35 AM	#10
nhramnl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 507 Likes: 8 Liked 358 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Oil pressure question OK, I'm going to step right into the line of fire here, and ask what's so bad about the oil pressure figures you're seeing? If you've got enough pressure, and more important, volume to keep everything lubricated (i.e. you're not burning cam bearings, pushrod tips or rocker arms), why are you worried? Ask the majority of Stock and Super Stock guys what kind of pressures they see from the starting line to the traps and I think you'll relax. I haven't seen 50 psi for decades, at any time.