When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
If you haven't thought much about the oil galley Barbell check this out!b
SacCityCorvette's
Precision LS Billet Barbell and other Oil System Improvement products!
The Oil Galley Barbell in your LS based engine is something that is over looked. And yet it serves a very important mission of directing oil to the oil filter. If oil leaks past the Barbell it will go unfiltered directly to the Cam Bearing, Lifters, Crank and Rod Bearings. (See Diagram Below) The factory Barbell is approximately .020” to loose so particles as big as 500 Microns can leak past the factory Barbell. Your oil filter will filter out 15 to 25 Microns depend on the brand of filter. Our 7075 Aluminum Precision Billet Barbell fits with approximately .001” clearance which will let only about 20-25 Microns pass by, that same as the filter.
Another important part is the shaft of the Barbell. The oil has to flow around it to get though the oil port. Our Billet Barbell has a 30% smaller shaft for much less flow restriction.
We have also added a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the end of our Barbell for easy removal. Just screw a 1/4-20 bolt in and pull the barbell out. No more digging and prying to get the factory one out.
Better engine protection from much less and smaller particles bypassing, smaller less restrictive shaft for better oil flow, replaceable High Temperature Viton O ring and for ease of service a threaded 1/4-20 hole.
Why would you ever put the plastic factory Barbell back in your expensive LS engine build?
See Our other Oil System Performance Improvement Products below.
Fits LS1-2-3-6-7-9-LQ4-LQ9-4.8L-5.3L-6.0L-6.2La and more! Also available for the new LT1/LT5
Very interesting....what part sits in front/top of it?
Here's a diagram to show the location and function. Although the "bar" part of the "barbell" is not shown, what holds it in place is that the bore is a counterbore in the block on one end and the rear cover keeps it in place on the other.
The barbell can be removed by accessing it through the screwed in plug (not shown) on the vertical oil passage, but the Sac City version makes it much simpler.
I have theorized that the oil smell that some people have complained about, is related to this part. Under normal operation, the pressure on each side of the lead portion of the barbell is equal, so the barbell never moves. However, if during an oil change, the technician rapidly drains the oil and changes the filter, the oil in the upper engine continues to drain down in reverse of the normal flow. Then when the tech fills the engine with new oil and promptly starts the engine, the pump pushes the barbell to it's rear limit and the rush of oil through the filter hits the remaining oil that pooled near the bottom of the passage and acts like a hydraulic hammer to force a few drops past the O-ring seal and into the semi-closed space between the block and the bell housing. As the engine heats during normal operation, the oil vapors are drawn inside the car until the oil has completely evaporated, which may take as much as a thousand miles of driving.
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
As I'm watching the OP's video, I began to wonder if this has anything to do with the oil smell. HoxxoH has been following the oil smell issue extensively and I believe he has offered the most insight on this. I'm one of those who do my own oil changes, and subscribe to the long drain and slow fill crowd. Even so, the smell first appeared after the fourth oil change on my LS7, not too strong but now definitely there. I let my oil drain overnight, slowly fill it the next day, and then wait another day before starting the engine. My friends laugh and call it my 2-day oil change.
It is interesting that SacCity did not refer to the oil smell issue and whether this part could be involved or potentially mitigate that. In any event, it is a significant amount of work to get to this part, but I suppose if you're building or rebuilding an LS motor this might be worth a shot.
Hi Guy's,
After the initial install of the Barbell, the first time you run the engine and build oil pressure the Barbell is pushed back against the rear cover. It never moves after that. It cant go more then about .040" forward as you see when you install it. That is because the hole for the Barbell is bigger than the oil passage that the Barbell plugs. So once you run the engine the Barbell is pushed back and that is where is stays. Also, HOXXOH mentioned that "the pressure on each side of the lead portion of the barbell is equal", actually the pressure on the lead side is a bit high because there is a slight pressure drop (depending on how dirty the filter is) after the oil goes through the filter. Also there should never be any oil leaking from the rear cover by the Barbell unless the gasket is bad.
pickleseimer, LS7's have valve guide issues, maybe the smell is oil leaking passed the valve guide seals and when you start is up you get the oil smell. Just a thought.
Hope this helps.
Thank you,
Christian
Last edited by SacCityCorvette; 11-08-2016 at 11:56 AM.
If you have your Rear Main Seal Cover off, you have easy a access to your barbell. This is a inexpensive worthwhile product that keeps unfiltered oil out of your bearing and lifters.
LS and LT1 lifters have tiny needle bearing in the rollers, small particles getting in these bearing greatly reduces there life especially with cam swaps that use heavier valve spring pressures that apply more pressure to these bearings.
Top engine builders like Texas Speed and WS6 Store use our barbells in there engine builds.
We hope everyone is doing well and staying safe during this crazy time of the virus.
Just wanted to let you know, while we are practicing the virus safety precautions, we still have our same day shipping of our products.
Hi Christian...I am scheduled to get my rear main seal replaced this week in my ls3 Corvette...are there any recommendations beside the barbell and the alignment tool you suggest that the shop can do to help the oiling situation while the new rear seal and cover is put in please?
Hi Christian...I am scheduled to get my rear main seal replaced this week in my ls3 Corvette...are there any recommendations beside the barbell and the alignment tool you suggest that the shop can do to help the oiling situation while the new rear seal and cover is put in please?
So sorry Smokey, somehow I missed your post and just came acrossed it. I know you are done with the job but ya, for the rear main seal replacement just the AlignIt tool and its a perfect time to install the Billet Barbell to start eliminating unfiltered oil from getting into the bearing and lifters.
Thank You
Christian
11-05-2016, 07:36 PM
If you haven't thought much about the oil galley Barbell check this out!b
Purchase these items together or separately. 
