Re: 56 Patrician bought off ebay

Posted by Ross On 2013/10/26 19:46:33

I am reasonably sure at this point in life that the entire problem was always that they drew air in along the input shaft. That some did it early, and that some did it much later, and some never did it, probably had to do with some sort of alignment issue.

Capacity only became a question after the bearings were already noodled out from oil with air entrained.

I am running a 55 320 in my Packup with the original to the engine oil pump. Without knowing of the TSB I ground reliefs on the side of the plunger and capped the end. That may have helped as it works great, but I think the major improvement was this:

A machinist turned down the input shaft to the next convenient nominal size and fitted a nice long bronze bushing. I then cross drilled a 1/8" passage from the oil output to the center of the new bushing so that it is pressure lubed. Even if it wears in the future it will not be able to draw in air.

I probably only have 12K miles on it or so but have been quite happy. Even when the oil level is a quart low there is no sign of tappy lifters. When the old engine was anywhere below the traditional "quart over full" it would throw a clattering fit.