Fitment of 35 amp alternator and vacuum pump to 1956 Patrician

Posted by Peter Packard On 2010/5/11 6:06:15

G'day all. I have just fitted my 56 Patrician (original 47,000 miles) with a 35 amp alternator, due to my low use duty cycle at minimum revs when the regulator has not cut in). I have opted for a diesel setup with the vacuum pump at the rear to supplement the original vacuum pump. Everything is easily reversible and the alternator is absolutely marvellous in terms of low speed charge due to the exciter current circuit. However, my question regards the vacuum pump which requires a pressurised feed. I originally was unsure if the oil pressure required to the rear of the vacuum pump was a stattic pressure. It apparently is not and uses the oil to cool and lubricate the pump. Does anyone know if the exit line from the original bypass oil filter, which enters the block just aft of the fill tube. Does anyone have the knowledge or a handy 374/352/320 block to verify if the outlet from the filter dumps into the block/sump cavity, or if it feeds into a gallery, such as the timing case. The reason that I am asking this is that the diesel vacuum pump really sucks some serious oil and needs to be introduced into the motor with some thought. My thought is to divert the output oil fom the engine filter into the rear of the vacuum pump then dump the product ( oil plus suction ) into the engine oil filler pipe. Has anyone done this before? Any thoughts, etc, before I re-invent the wheel , so to speak. Best regards Peter Toet.