Chip on front iron oil pump area. Engine builders, need your help.
 

Hi everyone, I purchased a blown engine for spare parts recently (something fell in combustion chamber). Upon tear down I found that there was a chip on the front iron where the oil pump sits. I do not have an actual picture of the plate as it is at the shop but have a bad plate at home I have referenced to, please see picture below. The issue is that the wall had collapsed, as you may know, there is not much material in this area. I was wondering if the plate is still good to use or is it as good as junk?

Attachment 605437

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks
- Andrew

if the rest of the plate was awesome, you could weld it. however if rest of plate is not awesome it is a good porting practice piece

Thanks for your feedback! I suppose that I could weld it and machine it back to original, however, is it necessary to do so? I have a high suspicion that the engine was built with this collapsed wall, and the engine did not fail due to lack of oil. I guess the real question is, how will the collapsed wall effect oil pressure?

Thanks!
-Andrew

cavitation i think is what i would be worried about.

It would be fine to run.

I had a plate that the engine builder messed up porting the oil passage and knocked a big 3-4mm chip out of that area and it was fine. I asked if it was on purpose (see below) and he said it was just an oops.

I have seen other old school race engine builders actually cut a groove there so high pressure oil can flow into the oil pump shaft area.

Unless there is more than I'm seeing in the pics, I don't see that causing an issue.

Thanks for all your input guys, I'll try to snap a pic next time I'm at the shop and post it here.