healeys
[Top] [All Lists]

[Healeys] Pressure relief valve

Subject: [Healeys] Pressure relief valve
From: lapierrem at sbcglobal.net (Mark LaPierre)
Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:44:18 -0400
References: <4DBCC284.8090404@comcast.net>
You lost me Bob?

Where did you install a 1/4 inch bolt?

Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Spidell" <bspidell at comcast.net>
To: "healeylist" <healeys at autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 10:16 PM
Subject: [Healeys] Pressure relief valve


> Background: my BJ8 has run low oil pressure at idle for as long as I've 
> had it. At startup I get 60psi, but after running on hot days I would 
> register, for all intents and purposes, zero psi at idle. In spite of 
> this, the engine has run and performed well for me for over 100K miles. I 
> use 20W-50 dino oil.
>
> There has been a lot of discussion on the BCF about replacement relief 
> valve springs being shorter than spec.  It has been suggested that putting 
> washers or other shims or a 1/4-inch bolt behind the spring could increase 
> running pressure.  I actually didn't believe it because AFAIK the valve is 
> there to keep pressure from getting too high, and presumably would be 
> fully closed at normal running pressure.  But, I was curious ...
>
> So today I pulled the relief valve and measured the spring at 2 & 11/32"; 
> quite a bit less than 'spec.' So I installed the 1/4-inch bolt and fired 
> her up; 70psi on cold start/fast idle--not too surprising. What's 
> surprising is even after the engine has warmed-up--when I would normally 
> see 10-20psi, before a long run in hot weather--I am getting 40psi. And 
> the max pressure is still at 70psi; so the effect is max pressure is up 
> 10psi, but the hot idle pressure could be up 10-20psi!
>
> My questions to the forum are: is 70psi too high a max oil pressure? Any 
> explanations for this phenomenon? Should I split the difference with some 
> shims?  Go back to the spring-only setup so I can sleep?
>
> Bob
>
> -- 
> *******************************************************************
> Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net
>
> *******************************************************************
> _______________________________________________
> Healeys at autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.75
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> Unsubscribe/Manage: 
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/lapierrem at sbcglobal.net 

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>