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Articles search results for oil pump

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Lubrication - Oil pumps

Essential to the well being of every engine is its oil pump and oil. Much in the same way as the heart and blood is deemed relatively important to us humans! It's also another of those greatly misunderstood and, unfortunately, misrepresented subjects connected to engines.

An alarming number of so-called A-series engine specialists would have you believe that once parting with a veritable bundle of your hard earned readies on that mega motor, what you really need to keep it in good health is a high-pressure/high-flow oil pump. Seems a sensible consideration - except in the A-series world it's impossible. Oh, there are pumps that will give better flow rates than others, but high pressure? Absolutely not.

Oil pressure is regulated by the relief valve in the block of an A-series, not in the oil pump as with say a Ford. Yeah, you know - the one that gets jammed, causing heart failure as you believe your crank bearings have dissolved, and is a pig to get out.

C-AEG410, C-AEG411, C-AEG412, C-AEG413, C-AEG414, and GLP110MSSUREFLOW OIL PUMPS...

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

The pumps are thoroughly cleaned when assembled, so only priming the pump is necessary prior to fitment. A precautionary testing of the pump prior to priming is recommended - merely turn the rotor using thumb and forefinger engaged on the pump drive. It should turn freely. If it does not, it will be necessary to strip the pump down to make sure no debris is causing the problem. Make careful note which way up the annulus fits and ensure it goes back the same way. Prime the pump with preferably engine building lubricant (less likely to drain away before start up is effected).

If not properly primed, oil pressure may not be obtained; crankshaft and bearing damage may result.

Make sure the retaining bolts do not bottom out in the relevant tapped holes in the block before securely clamping the pump to the block. Any air leaks caused by using bolts that are too long will cause oil pressure deficiencies, drai...

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - MINI SPARES PERFORMANCE OIL PUMPS

Minitech Magazine Header 1991

MINI SPARES PERFORMANCE OIL PUMPS


The requirements of modern automated mass production of commercially available oil pumps has necessitated the opening up of manufacturing tolerances to help rapid assembly.  As a majority of the internal components are close to – and in many cases exceeding – their maximum tolerances the oil is recirculating within the pump rather than being passed to the engine.  This results in a rapid drop in oil pressure under arduous conditions such as racing.  To solve this problem all internals and cases are machined in matched sets and built by hand to Mini Spares’ exacting specifications.  This new range of pumps is available for the different drive types.  As the original pump has always been more than sufficient for the Mini engine (some ...

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - MINI SPARES PERFORMANCE OIL PUMPS

Minitech Magazine Header 1991

MINI SPARES PERFORMANCE OIL PUMPS


The requirements of modern automated mass production of commercially available oil pumps has necessitated the opening up of manufacturing tolerances to help rapid assembly.  As a majority of the internal components are close to – and in many cases exceeding – their maximum tolerances the oil is recirculating within the pump rather than being passed to the engine.  This results in a rapid drop in oil pressure under arduous conditions such as racing.  To solve this problem all internals and cases are machined in matched sets and built by hand to Mini Spares’ exacting specifications.  This new range of pumps is available for the different drive types.  As the original pump has always been more than sufficient for the Mini engine (some ...

Historical Article - April 1994 - Pumping Oil

Pumping Oil In the last issue, I cited that there are many questions, side issues and problems that regularly occupy "Br time. On reflection, the following must be one of THE most popular, so more than a side issue is pertinent. Or more precisely, questions appertaining to their performance. For many other engine types, tuning companies offer both high capacity and/or high pressure oil pumps. This is a very relevant, and indeed praiseworthy option to the standard equipment types. Especially when one considers such bizarre facts as original Ford/Lotus twin cam pumps only supply 40psi of oil pressure.

Idler Gear - Setting End Float

A fairly crucial part of how the idler gear operates is its tolerances and running clearances. part numbers: 22A1545, 22A1546, 22A1547, 22A1548, 22A1549, DAM4822, DAM4823, DAM4824, DAM4825, GUG705563GM, AAU8424, ADU6033, CCN110, 2A3643, 22A152, 53K547, Terminology: DTI - Dial Test Indicator End float is a continual problem as folk either ignore it through ignorance or lack of accessible information on how to do it, or belief special tools are needed. Also, later factory assembled engine units (from about 1992 onwards) were built up using whatever shims and thrust washers were available, since Rover were not making regular orders for all shim/washer sizes due to the forthcoming end of production. Consequently, many units left Rover with incorrect (usually too big) clearances. The idler gear was no exception. Too tight a clearance and the idler gear will either seize solid when it gets hot, or destroy the thrust washer thrust faces in the comparably soft aluminium gearbox and t

Crankshaft - Standard Production Crank Identification

Yes, contrary to what many say/express, all cranks are forged. None are cast. They wouldn't last 2 minutes in an engine if they were cast - they'd be way too brittle. Below is a list of crankshaft identification data by forging or stamped numbers - yes, contrary to what many say/express, all cranks are forged. None are cast. They wouldn't last 2 minutes in an engine if they were cast - they'd be way too brittle. The differences are in the material used, finish machining detail and any heat treatments applied. It is by no means complete and utterly correct/infallible since Austin/Morris, British Leyland, Leyland cars, Austin Rover, rover, et al were seriously prone to not adhering to specifications and applications lists. But it is better than nothing at all! 22A62 850cc - Early type with oil feed for primary gear, 1.375" dia. tail 22A63 850cc - Early type with oil feed for primary gear, 1.375" dia. tail

Engine - Identification Data Updated

If you have the engine tag still attached to the engine - just in front/below the thermostat housing - or perhaps the original engine number in the log book then the following should help you determine which engine you have. For Metro units, see 'Engine - Metro identification data'. Original engine identification numbers 850cc 8A Austin up to 25000 8MB Morris up to 25000 8AM Austin & Morris 25000 onwards 8AH Austin & Morris Automatic 8AJ Austin & Morris closed circuit breathing 8AK Austin & Morris automatic with closed circuit breathing 8WR Wolseley Hornet & Riley Elf 8AC Moke 85H/101 All variants 1969 onwards Note: third suffix letter denotes compression type, L = Low, H = High, e.g. 8AM/U/H101 denotes high compression. 998cc 9WR Wolseley Hornet & Riley Elf Mk2, pre closed circuit breathing 9AD Austin, Wolseley Hornet & Riley Elf Mk2 with remote type gearbox and closed

Engine - Running in Procedure

This is another of those subjects that crops up on the message board frequently. I am constantly surprised by the number of engine builders - or people who charge other folk for building engines at any rate - that never hand out such an information sheet. It seems pretty daft to me that having taken a wad of money off of a customer for an engine you've lovingly put together, you'd want to help that person get the very best out of the engine. And the running/breaking in procedure is absolutely crucial. It at least ensures no damage is incurred when the engine first bursts into life. A collection of the usual suspects have explained their own methods on the board, along with various others - many of which probably work just as well for them, a few which are down-right dubious. Following is a sheet I administer with every customer engine I build.

Cooling - Controlling water temperature

The introduction of the Cooper S proved to be a testing time for the Mini’s systems, but conveniently provide a guideline as to what the standard cooling system was capable of - that used on the ‘S’ was marginal to say the least!

It wasn’t uncommon for many S’s to spew water from their overflow pipes when ever it was doing anything other than a steady 70 miles an hour, over-heating eventually caused through water loss. Perhaps some deductions can be made from the following…

There are a number of elements involved in controlling water temperature. Some confusion over what to sort first when over-heating occurs leads to wasted time and money, and possibly terminal engine damage. Maximum power is usually generated from A-series engines at 70 – 75 degrees C (160 to 170 degrees F). The main problem with this on a road car is the oil’s unlikely to get hot enough for maximum performance – the results outlined previously.

Engine - Identification data

If you have the engine tag still attached to the engine - just in front/below the thermostat housing - or perhaps the original engine number in the log book then the following should help you determine which engine you have. For Metro units, see 'Engine - Metro identification data'. Original engine identification numbers 850cc 8A Austin up to 25000 8MB Morris up to 25000 8AM Austin & Morris 25000 onwards 8AH Austin & Morris Automatic 8AJ Austin & Morris closed circuit breathing 8AK Austin & Morris automatic with closed circuit breathing 8WR Wolseley Hornet & Riley Elf 8AC Moke 85H/101 All variants 1969 onwards Note: third suffix letter denotes compression type, L = Low, H = High, e.g. 8AM/U/H101 denotes high compression.

RUNNING IN NEW ENGINES

Install engine. It is absolutely imperative that the cooling system is more than sufficient to deal with any temperatures likely to be produced by the engine. More power means more heat to be dissipated. A standard radiator is very unlikely to be able to cope with a reasonable power increase over standard.

Do not fill cooling system yet. Set clutch throw-out and free-play take up. Double-check all connections electrical, oil, fuel and cooling system. Put in engine oil – use a cheap multi-grade mineral oil. DO NOT use either semi or full synthetic oils. They will stop the rings from bedding in. Remove spark plugs, and spin engine over in bursts of a few seconds to pick up oil pressure and prevent starter motor damage. DO NOT start engine until oil pressure picks up.

Once oil pressure is showing, check ignition timing statically. Set to figure advised by distributor maker, or if no figures available, set at around 6-8 degrees BTDC. Re-fit spark plugs a

2003-08, Oil gallery plugs

Here's something unusual that cropped up a little while ago that I've never commented on before - main oil gallery plugs/bungs.

I'd been conversing via e-mail with a guy that was experiencing weird oil flow/supply problems with his performance street engine. Initially he'd been blaming it on the supposedly superior oil pump he'd bought. He sent it to me; I inspected it and found it to be in perfect health with no signs of causing the issues in hand. Firstly there was a claimed total oil drain down from the pump causing lack of initial supply on start-up for a few seconds, and then repeated crank bearing failures when used in anger (i.e. at high rpm for protracted periods). Unless there is something drastically wrong with the oil pump and fitment - cracked pump body, non-flat mounting surface, mounting bolts too long, split gasket, etc. - it will not drain down simply because the inlet and outlet ports are above the centerline, near the top of the pump as it is mounted to the block.

Lubrication - Oil, what it does and how

It's criminal. Folk spend fortunes putting together super-sonic motors, only to skimp on the oil they use. Why? Oil's oil right? Wrong. Even if it's a standard engine, it deserves TLC considering it's extremely hostile working environment.

Oil is literally the engine's life-blood. The opening few sentences are astonishingly true. Oil isn't there just to prevent all metal components within an engine fusing together in the first few seconds of running, creating a total melt down of Chernobyl proportions. It's an intricate blending of chemicals to protect the engine as a whole.

The most commonly uttered statement about engine wear is most wear occurs within the first 10 minutes from start up when cold. True if cheap chip fat oil is used.In performance and race engines, a considerable amount of wear is created by heat, load, speed, and pressure. Again, cheapy oil won't give protection here.

Pistons - Mega piston performance report

Under 'Pistons - Favourable features for maximum performance' it would seem that the Mega pistons fit the bill just about spot on for all but perhaps the most extreme of racing engines. Or are they? Having used these pistons in all sizes from +0.020" to 73.5mm in all aspects of use - road/street to full race I am now in a position to give a report on their performance. Some have reservations about using the pistons in racing engines because they are a few grams heavier than other pistons available, and they are cast as opposed to forged. However, Mini Spares recruited the AE Hepolite Group for their unquestionable and renowned design and manufacturing expertise. The goal was to produce the most robust piston possible given reasonable cost and weight limits. Applying current technological advances incorporating their very latest hi-spec AE109TF lightweight alloy and special double heat treatments, the result is an extremely durable piston that will withstand greater cylinder pressure

SU CARBURETTORS - HOW THEY WORK

Basic knowledge Even though the SU carburetter (carb) is a very basic yet precise instrument, some fundamental understanding on just how it works is needed to be able to deal with common problems and tuning. Following is as basic a description of what's going on that I can manage! First you need to be comfortable with the main aim of any carb - to supply the engine with a finely atomized fuel/air mixture in the right strength for all operating conditions. This means from idle to flat out and everything in-between. All carbs achieve this using the same method - a venturi or choke (restriction) is used to speed up the velocity of the in-coming air to create a reduction in pressure. This is used to draw fuel from the float chamber via a suitably sized jet hole into the air stream, and hence into the engine. The perfect carb will supply the engine with optimum mixture for both maximum power throughout the full throttle-angle range (variable restriction - as in butterfly and spindle) a

Suspension - Dampers, basic knowledge

The damper's job is very simple to explain - to keep the tyre in contact with the ground wherever and whenever possible...

C-AHT54 CENTRE OIL PICK-UP PIPE - FITTING INSTRUCTIONS.

Oil pressure loss caused by oil surge can be experienced under hard cornering. To alleviate this it is essential to fit a centre oil pick-up pipe.Mini Spares' continual research and development program has seen advances in pick-up pipe design, replacing the original ancient design conceived by Abingdon ST some thirty-plus years ago.

C-AHT280 COMPETITION HEAD STUD, NUT & WASHER KIT

Performance orientated engines, particularly those utilising large over-bore sizes (i.e. 73.5mm), can suffer from premature head gasket failures because of the inadequate quality and performance from the standard head studs. Mini Spares has therefore produced a replacement kit to eliminate these problems.

C-AJJ3328 MINI SPARES VERNIER ADJUSTABLE CAM BELT DRIVE

No Longer Available see C-AJJ3328RACE

The ubiquitous toothed belt cam drive system, originally developed for high performance race engines, is now generally accepted as the norm on all state of the art modern engines.

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