Oil pump question

stev1955
stev1955 Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I'm trying to determine the state of the engine in my new 30 Essex Super six and I need to find out if the oil pump is working. Not looking to rebuild unless I have to (money). I'm not running the engine much until I replace the exhaust manifold so I just run it long enough to check things and the original oil pressure gauge is stuck at 2lbs. Yesterday I disconnected the oil line to the gauge and cranked the engine with the coil unplugged for maybe 15-20 seconds and no oil came out the line so I thought maybe the pump isn't working. Now I'm no major mechanic and this morning I realize the oil pressure in these engines is only 2-3 lbs so just cranking the engine may not force the oil up to the gauge. How can I determine if this oil pump is working? I changed the oil yesterday and filled it to the full line on the dipstick.

Steve

Comments

  • ernie28
    ernie28 Expert Adviser
    Steve



    I can only comment from a 1928 perspective as the oil pumps between our models are different and I am not familiar to the 1930 one.

    I would first check that the pipe connections are all sound. If all seems OK then if this car has been sitting for some time it probably would pay just to remove the pump and just give a good clean out in case some components of the pump (in a 28s case, ball bearings) are stuck are maybe some old sludge but before any dismantling just try working the pump by hand with the suction pipe in a jar of oil - be carful where the outlet is pointing if it does work!

    You also need to ensure the suction tube that goes into the sump has not dislodged. With the pump removed if you blow through the draw off pipe you should be able to hear bubbles in the sump. If not you may have to remove the sump to check. If you do remove the sump, ensure the troughs are full of oil when you re-assemble. Running the engine with dry oil troughs is not good so do get this pump issue resolved beore continuing to run the engine.

    I am sure Geoff will add to this, especially if the model differences mean there is a different tact to take.

    Anyway good luck and I am sure it won't be too difficult to resolve.



    Alistair, NZ
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    The 1930 pump is simplicity itself, no springs or valves, just a piston that oscillates and revolves back and forth partly. The oscillating motion pumps, and the rotating motion uncovers the delivery and intake ports. There is nothing to go wrnng. So long as the intake pipe is sound, the pump sill work. Oil enters the middle of the pump ,and is delivered to each end of the motor. I am sure you will find it is working. The reason it probably didn't appear to do anything while you were winding the motor over is that is driven through a reduction gear in the accessory housing, and is quite slow acting.

    Geoff.
  • TwinH
    TwinH Senior Contributor
    Steve, I'll post some pics later tonight, but mine has a 29 engine and issues

    with the pump. I was advised here and rightly so to drop the pan and clean

    out the sump. It was really nasty and the pickup tube was a little loose which

    could allow it to suck air. My 31 engine has a different pump that is much more

    similar to what they used up to WWII. It uses a different check valve tho and

    I don't think I'll be able to use it on the 29 engine. Either way I would

    seriously consider dropping the oil pan un less it shows signs of being done

    recently. some pics here.

    http://classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=62&jfile=showthread.php&t=20973
  • stev1955
    stev1955 Expert Adviser
    Alright it seems a good idea to drop the oil pan and check things out. The oil that drained out when I changed it was as black as coal and really I think only 2-3 qts drained out so it must have been low. It's good to hear that the pump probably is not bad. Thanks all for the replies.



    By the way sells oil pan gaskets for this specific engine?
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    The '29 and '30 pumps are entirely different, and do not interchange. The '30 pump is double acting, and has two delivery ports.
  • ernie28
    ernie28 Expert Adviser
    stev1955 wrote:



    By the way sells oil pan gaskets for this specific engine?



    Steve



    I do not know who sells gaskets but I just get a sheet of cork gasket material of the same thickness and cut my own ensuring all holes that are in the old one match the new - don't want to block off any oil return holes!



    Alistair

    NZ
  • ESSX28-1
    ESSX28-1 Senior Contributor
    ernie28 wrote:
    Steve



    I do not know who sells gaskets but I just get a sheet of cork gasket material of the same thickness and cut my own ensuring all holes that are in the old one match the new - don't want to block off any oil return holes!



    Alistair

    NZ



    If you use cork, remember to retighten the bolts after a bit of use. Cork compresses.
  • stev1955
    stev1955 Expert Adviser
    Thanks, I may have found oil pan gaskets from Dale Cooper. I'll do cork if I have to. Lots of information here.
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