Panhead stuck in perma-sump

[Strangler]

Early Pan Frankenstein stroker. -50 oil pump. Open belt so vent is routed into rear cylinder exhaust. All rebuilt and has been working well. Today I went to prime it and heard the gurgle-of-sump. I checked the oil tank and yup, she’s low. I pulled the spark plugs and started kicking- filling my muffler with oil and drooling 1/2 qt into a drain pan from that.

I replace the plugs, added some oil and fire her up. Oil light is on. Solid lifters so I can’t really tell if it’s pumping or not. I check the tank and oil is returning. Heavy smoke and oil from the exhaust, but that’s to be expected at this point.

I shut her down, and scratched my head for a minute. With oil returning to the tank, I felt confident in starting it again for a reevaluation. The oil light turned off upon restart, but turned back on within 30 seconds of runtime. I tapped on the sending unit as well as the oil pump itself, wondering if something is just not happy. Hammers usually fix everything.

I shut it down, and continue to hear the gurgling of death when stroking the kicker. I would think an oil pump keyway may be stripped, but I am very confused that the light went off for a minute upon restart. The fact that oil is returning to the tank also tells me that things are working.

Thoughts?

[Dragstews]

Does that motor case have a drain plug on the left case ...??

Sounds as if it has wet slumped ...

Think I would bolt down a oil pressure gauge and see what it has...

[Dragstews]

Hey, I got an Idea ...



Fitment:1936-'69 HD® big twin Features& Benefits: Same width oil supply and return gears as the stock HD® aluminum pump. S&S® pinion and oil pump drive shaft drive gears increase potential oil volume delivery by 25% over stock on 1972 and earlier engines. S&S® pumps for 1936-'67 engines used with the S&S® oil pump drive gears deliver 33% more oil than the original cast iron pump. Machined with an oil pressure relief bleed off passageway- relieves pressure build up on top of the valve to maintain consistent oil pressure. Oil pressure regulation bypass routes excess oil directly to the supply side of the pump & reduces the amount of oil returned to the tank, less foaming and cavitation. The standard pump cover allows total flexibility for oil system configuration with a number of oil feed and return options.

I didn't say it was a cheap idea ... !! ...

[Whoremonger]

First ime i ever heard of anyone routing a vent line directly into an exhaust pipe.

[Strangler]

Does that motor case have a drain plug on the left case?



Think I would bolt down a oil pressure gauge and see what it has...

Yes on the drain, but it fits too close to the frame rail to be of any use.

I would love a guage. Where would you tap into if looking for the end-of-the-line?

[Strangler]

Hey, I got an idea...

I didn't say it was a cheap idea ... !! ...

I’m not opposed, but you know I need to know what has failed before replacing parts. Why would my light turn off upon restart, and then turn back on 30 seconds later all while returning oil to the tank?

No doubt it was wet-sumped, but it seems to be continuing to introduce oil into the crankcase.

[Dragstews]

Sheared key catches every now and again ...

You need to take your pump off and give it a good look, might get on the oil pump drive shaft with grips and check the gear and key in the cam chest for spin....

[Tattooo]

Sheared key catches every now and again ...

Yep they sure will, Some will even lock back up for a little bit...

[Dragstews]

Yes on the drain, but it fits too close to the frame rail to be of any use.

I would love a guage. Where would you tap into if looking for the end-of-the-line?

Do a double fitting off the pump... that way you keep the light and can see the gauge ...

When I get to the shop I'll post a trick fitting that make that easy to do...

At the moment the Mule is getting watered ...



Easy there .. Ruth ..!!

.../// https://youtu.be/uo696R-yrn8 \\\...

...................... Damn Yankee's .......................
............................... ................................

[Strangler]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r56voM0vLv8

[Dragstews]

Is that your video ... ???

[Strangler]

Um, yup.

At least I know where to look now.
Thanks all.

[Dragstews]

Say ... Being I didn't get to load the pump. I was wondering how well it was going to spin on that motor case...
With all the problems the cam chest was having with fitment, it was a question that I wanting to know a answer to...
But forgot to ask...