Re: Oldsmobile oil pump conversion kit update

Posted by Tim Cole On 2010/1/23 12:38:40

Now for something new on this oil pressure topic:

As you may recall, I am dealing with a 56 that is on its third block, the first being replaced by Packard way back in the 50's.

I have been working with a good motor builder and asked him to let me know of anything he finds that would indicate some kind of design flaw cause of poor lubrication.

The only thing reported was that the block (a junkyard case) was one of the filthiest things he ever dealt with and it kept his washing machine busy for days. My feeling is this is certainly being caused by some kind of low velocity oil pressure problem.

The next area is oil sucking through the relief valve which looks like cavitation caused by a pick up problem.

In looking at this I saw something that the rebuilder totally missed and which I have to look at very carefully

- The location of the drain plug is so high that I don't think all of the dirt is draining out of the motor.

The Packard TSB's coincide with a common ASE Recertification question regarding tappet noise at speed - clogging of the pick up screen.

One thing is for sure, according to petroleum research, the number one cause of premature motor failure is - dirt.

Looking at the OHV Ford V-8 (arguably the best all around V-8 in the 50's) they put the drain plugs on the bottom of the oil pan will full flow filtration.

So for this motor I am going to recommend modifying the pan with a new drain plug location.

This could certainly be a cause of the very wide variance in the service record for these engines.