Dry Sump Plumbing Question

[dirtdevil]

Been doing this for lots of years and got a question/request from a guy a help alot. Anyone ever "T" a scavenge line?? He is on a slim budget like most of us these days, has a good setup now that I did for him a couple of years back. Front mounted pump w/ 2 out of the pan only. He has came across a motor that has a lifter scavenge setup on the block. It is a Dart aluminum so it has to pull from the lifters. Think I can "T" that into one of the pan exits???

A new pump is out of the question.

[perfconn]

No.If you take a straw shaped like a y and put one leg of the y into a liquid and the other leg not in a liquid and suck on the third leg,all you will get is air.You would be better off only hooking one stage on the pan and the other stage on the valley.Not the best way but if you can't afford another pump then thats all you can do.

[fast_crew]

Why not by a section, a set of gears, a drive and idler shaft, new bolts and make it a 4 stage. Parts arn't really that much compared to buying a whole pump.

[perfconn]

Very true.If your going to do it,do it right.

[fox1162002]

I've got a question too I've got my steel head back up engine in while my other engine is getting refreshed. I've got a 4 stage system the steel engine has only 2 outlets on the pan can I pull off my valve cover I was told that I could years ago and I would have to cover ther breather holes. Im not to sure ive never run this engine with a 4 stage. Also its just a limited motor 010 block.

[perfconn]

Sure you can.Just weld a fitting in the vc.

[DK1]

why would you need to cover the breathers?

[perfconn]

Because a drysump pump moves a lot of air along with the oil it is moving.If you let air into the engine through the valve covers then you can't pull a vacuum on the engine.The more vacuum you pull on an engine the more power it will make because the rings seal better.You also won't have trouble blowing oil out of the drysump tank.

[TALON75]

hey Perfconn, why couldn't the original poster use an oil return manifold or y manifold like this - http://petersonfluidsys.com/plumb_yman.html - , or why would peterson make them if you shouldn't do it? just curious .

[TALON75]

ok, re-read your post and think I understand it now!lol But could he use the manifold to tee the two pan lines to one stage and run the other stage from the valley? would it be anymore benificial to run it with the the tee or just pull from one fitting in the pan?

[perfconn]

Vacuum and pressure are two different things.A discharge manifold is used on a lot of pumps.It won't work on the suction side because of the reasons previously stated.

[racer2e]

PERFCONN, can you give me a call please, 503-704-6684
Thanks, Jayme

[DK1]

Because a drysump pump moves a lot of air along with the oil it is moving.If you let air into the engine through the valve covers then you can't pull a vacuum on the engine.The more vacuum you pull on an engine the more power it will make because the rings seal better.You also won't have trouble blowing oil out of the drysump tank.

so what happens if their is excess pressure in the crankcase and no breathers? Or do they make special breathers the shut under vacuum and open if theres pressure?

Also, the way were going to vent the tank was actually back into the motor. I'm guessing thats not the best way and I should vent it naturally or into a catch can?

[perfconn]

Never vent the drysumptank back into the engine,your only creating more engine pressure.Peterson has what is known as a popoff valve that relieves any internal pressure incase you break a ring or burn a piston.

[sj valley dave]

You will not have excessive pressure in the engine when you are pulling vacuum with a dry sump. We run a 5 stage...no provisions for breathers at all...We vent the tank to the atmosphere through a filter..Some go through a catch can/filler can...

[perfconn]

Thats the right way.

[fast_crew]

I will add that a 4 stage pump, will need an iron block (alum. blocks usually don't have the best of ring seal when making big power) and very good ring seal to pull a vacuum. 5 stage is alittle more forgiving on ring seal and still be able to pull a vacuum. Never vent the tank back to the engine, just put a breather on it. With a 4stage if block has drains in the lifter valley, pull all 3 scavenge stages from the pan, this would put the vac. where it does the most and aid in oil return, if valley is sealed up rather well, then pull from lifter valley with 1 stage. Alot of guys are putting a fitting/tube in the china wall in the front of the block and running the tube back to the RR corner of the valley. What ever pump and plumbing you decide to use, make sure there is a screen on EACH scavenge section.

[DK1]

So tell me if this is correct:

I have a 5 stage pump, iron block, aluminum heads, and the oil pan only has 2 returns. Going to run 2 lines from the pan, 1 from the valley, and 1 from the ride side valve cover. Run the pop off breathers and vent the tank to a catch can.

That sound right?

[perfconn]

Good as it gets.

[jrkracing54]

Hey Perfconn, do you have any fabricated aluminum valve covers for sale? Used is fine if they are in good shape. Also which ones do you think are the best? I'm running them on a steel block aluminum head NLMS engine. I run a vacuum system that pulls out of the left side header with heater hose. Thanks John 1*

[perfconn]

No covers,sorry.

[jrkracing54]

Thanks anyway. John 1*

[IROC12]

Where the best place to mount vent can.

[perfconn]

Above and forward of the drysump tank if possible.

[BLAHBLAH]

drysump system issue.....i switched tank styles after switching car classes. now my drysump system is blowing oil out of the breather tank,,,,,not just a little over two quarts in a 35 lap feature. i had a peterson tank with the built in oberg before, also a deck mounted oil cooler and finned tube line into the feed side of the pump....now i have switched classes and use a sprint car tank with a remote breather.no oil cooler, any ideas why i have an oil issue now?never lost a drop before.

[perfconn]

Possibly over filling.

[BLAHBLAH]

i thought that also, so i rechecked the amt of oil i installed, i put in 2-1/2 gallons this is with the complete system drained. oil lines, pan,etc....

[perfconn]

There is no set amount for any drysump system because they are all different.Tank needs to be 3/4 full with the engine about 2500rpm.

[BLAHBLAH]

3 gallon capacity, thinking i am safe with 2.5. i spoke to a friend and he said i may have an issue with the baffleing inside the tank not letting the oil drop quick enough. and creating a splash issue.

[perfconn]

Check it with the engine running.

[BLAHBLAH]

its 2/3rd full with engine running.

[IROC12]

Why mount vent tank in front of tank.

[perfconn]

Oil would have to overcome inertia to get out of the tank.Acceleration would cause the oil to run back into the tank.

[IROC12]

Thank man,