3000M Essex Oil Pressure

[GadgeS3C]

Been using the M a fair bit recently Over the last few days the tickover has dropped (suspect the points need tweaking) to around 600rpm when hot. At those revs the oil pressure is dropping to not much more than zero.

Obviously part of the solution is to sort the tickover but it did make me wonder if the oil pump is getting a bit tired? Oil pressure picks up as soon as the revs rise and above 2000rpm is 40-45psi.

Just wondering what pressures other are seeing and whether it's time to change the pump?

Running 20/50 VR1 BTW.

[GadgeS3C]

I know - if it ain't broke don't fix it but...

Made the sacrificial offering of a new pump. Fitted it last weekend but now not seeing any oil pressure (rotating pump spindle through distributor orifice).

Before I drop the sump and put the old pump back (grrr) any suggestions for daft things I may have forgotten?

Primed the pump before fitting and it was pumping oil when I rotated it off the car. Spindle is new.

Time for a sandwich and coffee and will hope the miracle of Pistonheads solves all my problems before I start twirling sump bolts

[GadgeS3C]

Adrian@ said:

Did you fill the pump with Vaseline prior to fitting it...if not, remove the distributor, set up a drill with an extension bar and socket (taped together) and run it to build pressure.
Adrian@

Thanks Adrian - hadn't realised it was a vaseline job for the Essex

Had tried the spindle down distributor trick but obviously not enough. Had popped off the gauge pipe to check I was getting flow and when I turned spindle I was. Now showing 2 bar on gauge just turning by hand

BTW - did you spot my email about gearbox mounts - spotted mine was broken when I dropped the sump.

[GadgeS3C]

Just to update this...

Finally got around to finishing job off. Not had chance to road test yet as spotted gearbox mount issue mentioned above but seeing much better pressure on the gauge.

Will update with final figures when it I've road tested and got readings when properly warm.

[GadgeS3C]

Well, after a weekend at the Williams F1 museum, Blenheim and Oulton park in the M oil pressure is much happier.

With hot oil running at 40-45psi, dropping no lower than 30psi at idle.

Hope I caught it before the duff pump did too much damage.