Re: High oil pressure 1938 120

Posted by JWL On 2011/10/11 17:18:32

Tom,

The service manuals say the pump relief valve spring is not adjustable, but I shimed the one in the Forty-seven Clipper for more oil pressure. I have a sneaking suspicion that I was not the first one to do so.

I would expect something like 35 lbs pressure with a warmed up engine at road speed (50 mph), more with a cold engine at start up, and less with a warmed up engine at idle (15-20 lbs).

The relief valve spring is easy enough to check as the pump body is on the outside of the engine on the RH side (but you know this). Just remove the large hex shaped cap and the spring and valve will be accessible, if they don't fall out on their own. A little oil will run out but no enough to be concerned about.

The leaking oil filter top is probably not due to the oil pressure, but rather a bad gasket seal. Good luck and let us know what you find.

(o[]o)