The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster
Late last week, my new 'blueprinted' HV oil pump arrived. Part of the blueprinting process is to enlarge and smooth the outlet port.
Pump outlet port.
Once I had the pump in hand, it was time to open up the port on the #5 main cap. I hemmed and hawed about this because I had already torqued it down and glued the rear main tabs in place. Unfortunately, it makes no sense to have an enlarged outlet port on the pump that meets a restriction at the main cap so I swallowed my fear of introducing metal debris into the engine and went for it. Opening up the port should ensure that whatever volume the pump can provide is actually what is in the system.
This is the stock #5 main cap. The black outline is the gasket opening. Note the step right below the surface.
I tried not to go nuts and make the opening too big. I mostly worked at smoothing the entry and any steps or rough parts of the passage. There was definitely some material removed from the step area as it was all bleneded smooth.
Here's the finished product. The opening does not match the gasket exactly but it's a far cry from the stock opening and should improve flow. I had to fight every fiber of my being not to take the cap back off and shave down that little area on the bottom right - it's good enough! Don't worry, I cleaned the crap out of it and it's spotless.
The bottom end can now go together for the final time. The pump, pickup and timing cover are on. Next I have to finish cleaning the oil pan out and set the pan gaskets in place. Oil pan gaskets are always nerve wracking for me and I strive to get them as perfect as possible to avoid leaks. I'm obviously using studs this time as well.
Note the marks on the front of the pan rail and bottom of the timing cover ears. The timing cover gasket sits a bit proud of the mating surfaces and it won't allow the pan rail gasket to sit flat. These little pieces of gasket will have to be carefully trimmed before the pan goes on.
Hope to have the motor buttoned up soon. After the oil pan, the damper goes on and the top end goes together. The valvetrain has to be set up but it's mostly just aligning the rocker rollers to the valve tips. Then it gets timed, primed and most likely dynoed.
More to come.
Late last week, my new 'blueprinted' HV oil pump arrived. Part of the blueprinting process is to enlarge and smooth the outlet port.
Pump outlet port.
Once I had the pump in hand, it was time to open up the port on the #5 main cap. I hemmed and hawed about this because I had already torqued it down and glued the rear main tabs in place. Unfortunately, it makes no sense to have an enlarged outlet port on the pump that meets a restriction at the main cap so I swallowed my fear of introducing metal debris into the engine and went for it. Opening up the port should ensure that whatever volume the pump can provide is actually what is in the system.
This is the stock #5 main cap. The black outline is the gasket opening. Note the step right below the surface.
I tried not to go nuts and make the opening too big. I mostly worked at smoothing the entry and any steps or rough parts of the passage. There was definitely some material removed from the step area as it was all bleneded smooth.
Here's the finished product. The opening does not match the gasket exactly but it's a far cry from the stock opening and should improve flow. I had to fight every fiber of my being not to take the cap back off and shave down that little area on the bottom right - it's good enough! Don't worry, I cleaned the crap out of it and it's spotless.
The bottom end can now go together for the final time. The pump, pickup and timing cover are on. Next I have to finish cleaning the oil pan out and set the pan gaskets in place. Oil pan gaskets are always nerve wracking for me and I strive to get them as perfect as possible to avoid leaks. I'm obviously using studs this time as well.
Note the marks on the front of the pan rail and bottom of the timing cover ears. The timing cover gasket sits a bit proud of the mating surfaces and it won't allow the pan rail gasket to sit flat. These little pieces of gasket will have to be carefully trimmed before the pan goes on.
Hope to have the motor buttoned up soon. After the oil pan, the damper goes on and the top end goes together. The valvetrain has to be set up but it's mostly just aligning the rocker rollers to the valve tips. Then it gets timed, primed and most likely dynoed.
More to come.