Calculating oil pump requirements

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by buzzinhalfdozen

I'm pretty sure I've got too much oil pump on my engine (dry sump) is there a way of figuring out exactly how much pump you need? Would you use total bearing area or another method? Or am I simply trying to find an answer that doesn't exist? Thanks Joe

Could you elaborate what do you mean by too much oil?

[tj310]

Too much oil 'pressure' would force the pressure release valve open . Too much oil would be excessive clearances. I remember running a circle track motor I couldn't keep oil pressure, switched to a dry sump problem solved. ---Trevor

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

Could you elaborate what do you mean by too much oil?

SSDiv6 Too much oil pump, Pumps more oil GPH than engine requirements. FED 387, I'm running the pump @ 45% engine speed, yes I'm aware of the adjustable pressure regulator, set @ 50 PSI cold, really never loses any pressure. Problem with (in my mind) slowing the pump more is I'm also slowing the scavenge stages, maybe it's not an issue I don't know or maybe I need a smaller pump section and keep the current scavenge, I'm certainly no expert on this hence the questions. Thanks for all the replies. Joe

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by buzzinhalfdozen

SSDiv6 Too much oil pump, Pumps more oil GPH than engine requirements. FED 387, I'm running the pump @ 45% engine speed, yes I'm aware of the adjustable pressure regulator, set @ 50 PSI cold, really never loses any pressure. Problem with (in my mind) slowing the pump more is I'm also slowing the scavenge stages, maybe it's not an issue I don't know or maybe I need a smaller pump section and keep the current scavenge, I'm certainly no expert on this hence the questions. Thanks for all the replies. Joe

Joe,
If you are still running the V-6 engine, like you stated, you may need a smaller pump.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Yeah still trying with the V6 stuff, agreed I believe my pump is too large. Think I'll try on of the pump companies again and see what they'll recommend. Thanks Joe

[Ed Wright]

It would be slick if you could run a factory pump at a constant speed with n electric motor to measure how long it takes to pump a quart, or whatever. Do they rate them in gallon an hour, like a fuel pump? (I'm thinking not) Then do the same with your dry sump pump. Might be a trick to get an electric motor to run at a constant RPM with both pumps. May be easier to do it off a gasoline engine. It would be interesting to know if shortening the housing and impeller 10% would get a 10% drop in volume pumped.

During the 1980s I ran an "outlaw" sprint car on dirt, (didn't drive it, you can hire crazy people for that) with a Peterson dry sump set up. I felt like it was way more pump than I needed. Never did play with that, making enough power was never an issue. Always wondered about that pump. I'm sure it was over-kill in size to cover their tails.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

It would be slick if you could run a factory pump at a constant speed with n electric motor to measure how long it takes to pump a quart, or whatever. Do they rate them in gallon an hour, like a fuel pump? (I'm thinking not) Then do the same with your dry sump pump. Might be a trick to get an electric motor to run at a constant RPM with both pumps. May be easier to do it off a gasoline engine. It would be interesting to know if shortening the housing and impeller 10% would get a 10% drop in volume pumped.

During the 1980s I ran an "outlaw" sprint car on dirt, (didn't drive it, you can hire crazy people for that) with a Peterson dry sump set up. I felt like it was way more pump than I needed. Never did play with that, making enough power was never an issue. Always wondered about that pump. I'm sure it was over-kill in size to cover their tails.

Ed,
Oil pump flow is measured in GPM. The flow will vary based on the relief settings.
Your best best is to call the tech guys at Peterson or Dailey.
This link is a good article regarding engine bearing lubrication:

http://www.epi-eng.com/piston_engine...e_bearings.htm

[FED 387]

suggestion ----Joe you know Brian Browell he runs a Chevy V6 call him run it by him a Ford or Chevy gotta be pretty similar I would think see what he says--or talk to Bob Huettman he could check wth some of the NASCAR guys see what they ran---FED 387