rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

What I've discovered:
I'm removing the Oil Metering Pump on my project engine and I don't want to leave the shaft residing in the front cover, robbing engine power (only miniscule amounts, I know) and turning for no reason when it doesn't have to be there. I'm planning on building a block-off plate for the outside of the front cover, but I want to know what will happen to the oil passages inside it that run to the shaft when it's gone...

My thoughts:
I'm over-protective sometimes, so I thought I could tap both sides of the hole to accept a 1/4" socket head (allen keyed) pipe plug before the cover I have yet to fabricate goes on. There is a roll pin that resides in the shaft, possibly to return oil to the pan or locate the OMP drive shaft? I'm unsure. I'm thinking of making a "jet" with the inner pipe plug-drill out a small hole to relieve the oil building up inside of the shaft for additional lubrication purposes to the e-shaft helical gear and oil pump drive chain. BUT-what exactly is the roll pin there for? Locating the OMP drive shaft? Oil relief? Could I plug it off with my makeshift "jet", or should I tap it for an 1/8" NPT plug and build a similar "jet" with it too?

I haven't figured out how to post pics yet, so I'll post links to them on my photobucket.com site. I am also void of any paint program to mark the items I'm referring to, but those in the know (that could answer my questions) should know what I'm talking about. The main question and bottom line is: should I build the "jets" I'm referring to (either one or both) or what should I do to permanently eliminate the shaft from my front cover? Thanks to all who reply for your time, help, and cooperation...

Inside the front cover ("roll pin" is to the right and above the 1/4" hex-head brass plug-not the one I'll be using-and is almost centered in the pic, it's there to connect the oil passage with the hole and may actually be a plug-I haven't looked at it close enough or cleaned it good enough to tell yet. 3/8" NPT-tapped turbo oil drain fitting is present on right side of pic):
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ress-Up222.jpg

Front cover, outside view:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ress-Up219.jpg

Front cover, right side view of 3/8" NPT-tapped turbo oil drain fitting and OMP 1/4" NPT plug location (with quick-connect air chuck inserted):
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ress-Up220.jpg

Front cover, left side view of 3/8" NPT-tapped oil cooler feed line:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ress-Up221.jpg

Once again, thanks for all your help guys!

-Adam Collins

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Anybody have any idea of what I should do with this?

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

You need to block the small hole in the front cover that is fed from the small hole on the front plate.

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Do you think the added oil coming to the oil pump drive chain would be of any additional benefit by the "jets", or should I just plug it off? Thanks...

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Not sure. It's lubed somehow. I've never really worried about it because I've only ever blocked an OMP by installing a plate. It's too much work to take the front cover off and remove the OMP drive shaft. Thn there's a hole that you havbe to plug. Then if the distributor drive gear was lubed by it, you have a real problem.

Not sure. Anyone else know?

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

The distributor drive gear and helical e-shaft drive are really my only concerns with removing this. Like you said, if the OMP drive shaft (or at least the oil passage to it) lubricates the gears that drive it and the distributor then I'll be screwed without the "jet" I was referring to. It looks like there's another passage drilled from the same holes above the distributor drive gear, but I can't be sure because I'm only looking at the pics and don't have the front cover in front of me at the moment. I'll make sure to check it out tomorrow to see, and if there is my only concern will be the size of the hole I drill in the "jet". Too large of a hole and I could lose pressure and volume to the dist. drive gear (if the "jet" is not pointed directly at the drive gear itself).

I believe that every oil passage should have a return to the pan, so I don't believe that completely blocking this off would be the best idea. Looks like I'll be taking some measurements to determine the clearances of the OMP drive shaft to front cover and drilling a hole in the jet that's the same area of the clearance between the two-just to keep the oil pressure at the same level and consistency as stock (especially at the distributor drive gear and any other passages that may stem from this same hole).

Thanks for your help Jeff. Any new progress on the four-rotor?

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Yeah, I handed a floppy disc with the bank info to the owner so he knows where to send payment. Then the parts will be shipped.

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Cool-I looked at the front cover closer and realized that it has to be oiled from the passage where the OMP drive shaft resides. I'm going to have the get the angle and hole perfect in the "jet" I guess. I need to take about a month worth of vacation time to actually work on this thing a little bit. It's hard to get anything done when you're out of town five or six days a week and too tired to work when you're in.

I thought I saw another drilled passage in one of the pics I posted links to, but I guess it was only a "rib", or gusset built in to support the distributor shaft. No holes in the distributor passage to aid in oiling. I'll figure out what size hole for the "jet" I need when I determine the area of the clearance (in sq. in.) between the OPM drive shaft and passage, then drill a hole with the same square inch area (it's going to be tiny, I know that). Maybe I'll finally get to use one of the "letter" size drill bits besides "R" for 1/8" NPT...

What would you do if you were dead-set on leaving out that drive shaft for the OMP, Jeff?

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

I'm not, actually, so I wouldn't. Plus I don't have one handy to look at right now. Plus I honestly don't feel the need to ever remove the drive shaft for any reason, so I've never thought about it. Sorry. You know just as much about them at this point as I do.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Plug the passage between the front iron and front cover, remove MOP drive gear, done. The roll pin in the passage is to keep the oil from leaking out between the front cover and font housing at the maring surface since the gasket isn't designed for oil pressure.

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the info trochoid, but do you know how the distributor drive gear gets its oiling? That's been my main concern with removing this...Thanks!

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

85 FSM, Sec. 2 p. 3, is the oil flow diagram. The dizzy is lubed internally by the same passage that supplies the MOP. There is no dedicated oil supply for the external drive gears or oil pump chain. Blocking the supply where mentioned may no longer supply the dizzy with fresh oil internally. But looking at the diagram, I can't see how it does get refreshed frequently anyway. It may simply need to hold an oil supply for lubrication, without refreshment.

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

I'll check it out, thanks. I've got the FSM saved, but not by the section #'s. I've saved them under the section names. I've got the "engine" section pulled up now, so I'll see what I can come up with. Thanks!

-Adam

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Section 2 is titled 'Lubrication System'.

rxforspeed

iTrader: (3)

I see what you're referring to, but that doesn't seem to match what I've seen myself by looking at the clean front cover from the 13b. Yes, I did see the second diagram specific for the 13b. I haven't seen any oil passage holes inside the distributor shaft. I'll have to read through more and see if there are any further details regarding my question. Thanks for the help and guidance!

-Adam