High volume oil pump
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
High volume oil pump
I recently intalled the newly rebuilt engine on my 1972 LT1, as per the builders standart protocol a new high volume oil pump was used. the first thing I notice was how high the oil pressure gets above idle (70+) on the stock gauge. Then I noticed some oil on the bottom of bell housing. At first I thought it was lose oil pan bolts, I got half a turn on all of them.
Even after doing that several times, I still see oil. After 500 miles break in as recommended by the builder I noticed the oil pressure not so high. So I thought since I am changing the break in oil to go with syntetic oil I might as well get a one piece pan gasket and hope it is the cause for the leak. The oil pressure is back up very high after idle (70+ max the guage). So I am thinking, it was not the oil pan then it must be the rear main seal. Before I pull the engine I thought I would ask my question:
What are the cons for the high volume oil pump? Can high pressure push oil pass the rear main seal? I was thinking of dropping the pan again and replace the oil pump with the original pump.
I guess I am trying to explore all my option before I pull the engine out.
Even after doing that several times, I still see oil. After 500 miles break in as recommended by the builder I noticed the oil pressure not so high. So I thought since I am changing the break in oil to go with syntetic oil I might as well get a one piece pan gasket and hope it is the cause for the leak. The oil pressure is back up very high after idle (70+ max the guage). So I am thinking, it was not the oil pan then it must be the rear main seal. Before I pull the engine I thought I would ask my question:
What are the cons for the high volume oil pump? Can high pressure push oil pass the rear main seal? I was thinking of dropping the pan again and replace the oil pump with the original pump.
I guess I am trying to explore all my option before I pull the engine out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
No hv pump is cause of pan leak.
No hv pump is cause of rear main seal leak.
Most builders install rear main seal ... I suggest any leak there is fault of builder.
Most HV pumps add additional 25% ... I'm not a fan of those.
Melling offers a hv pump that increase only 10% and has a "bolt-on" pickup ... I do like & recommend it.
No hv pump is cause of rear main seal leak.
Most builders install rear main seal ... I suggest any leak there is fault of builder.
Most HV pumps add additional 25% ... I'm not a fan of those.
Melling offers a hv pump that increase only 10% and has a "bolt-on" pickup ... I do like & recommend it.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
High volume oil pumps are not needed for the street.
Replace it with something like the Melling 10553, which is standard volume, high pressure. It comes with a different spring to lower the pressure if you want to.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEL-10553/
Replace it with something like the Melling 10553, which is standard volume, high pressure. It comes with a different spring to lower the pressure if you want to.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEL-10553/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Most people get High Volume and high pressure pumps mixed up. Its possible he put a high pressure pump in. But like already said, you can usually just change the spring and get the pressure down.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
Engine builders make a 'standard practice' of installing a HV oil pump on rebuilds...because it makes them more money!!!!!
Installing a HV oil pump, without other associated items, is just a waste of money and the excess fuel to run it.
Installing a HV oil pump, without other associated items, is just a waste of money and the excess fuel to run it.
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