Oil pressure issues in the corners.

[AmickRacing]

I've been battling a really stupid problem, but I can't find the solution

When the track is very very stick and fast, mid corner when the car is layed over on the right really hard and accelerating hard (mid corner), my oil pressure takes a dive causing the dummy light to flicker. When the track slicks off I've never had this issue.

Knock on wood, no major damage to the motor, but it has chewed the bearings up a bit both times (different bearings btw).

360 steel headed wissota motor, wulff pump that was new last year, been cleaned and inspected after each engine issue (the 2 bearing chewings). System 1 filter, Oberg in the tank, the tank is an older rocket tank. I have an aluminum oil pan, 3 pickup's on the right side. Honestly I have no idea who makes the pan, there's an expanded metal windage tray in it. Engines have the stock block, one had the oil inlet tapped into the front of the engine (above the timing cover), this one has it going in behind the left head (engine builder drilled and tapped it there). The engine builder does a lot of sprint car stuff, and is a pretty good builder, plus with what happens, I'm 99% sure it's something I'm doing not him.

It's plumbed the way the peterson diagram shows, tank to pump (-16), pump to filter (-12), filter to the motor (-10 or -12, I can't remember for sure), out of the 3 pickups into the pump (all -12's), from the pump into the tank's oberg (-16), vent tank is mounted in front of fuel cell on the left side. I measured this tank vs another tank of known capacity, and it's a 12 quart tank. Been running it jus over half full to 2/3's full.

I'm stumped about what to even check. Briefly thought it might be the oil pan, but 3 unregulated stages of the oil pump should pump out way more than 1 regulated stage can pump in. Someone I know has mentioned that you can't run an oberg filter, they are too restrictive (I believe mine is the medium coarse mesh), but everyone and their dog that i know runs them. To me it seems like it's a tank issue.

The pickup tube comes in the front of the tank, and goes about half way back, trimmed to be 1/2" or so off the bottom, it has the baffled piece that goes inside. It seems like the car just rolls over too much and chases the oil away from the pickup tube. When the track is fast like that, the car does tend to hike up, carries the LF probably 8" max, does squat on the RR fairly hard, but it's not super crazy wheelies or anything.

Any of you folks have some ideas, because I'm running out of patience and ideas.

[perfconn]

If I were in that same situation I would send the pump back to Ed to be inspected.If he found nothing wrong I would open up all my oil return holes in the block so the oil can get to the pan.Don't think its a tank related problem unless you don't have enough oil in it.Tank is supposed to be 3/4 full with the engine running.

[AmickRacing]

I've called him every time I've had the pump apart. He said he'd be willing to check it out, but did a little coaching over the phone. When I've pulled the pump apart I haven't found anything wrong, minimal scuff marks.

His words are if it makes pressure it's working (I like his easy meanings lol), and I never have this issue any other time than when the car is rocked over really hard. Though, I am tired of playing this game, shipping it and minimal labor to ensure it's right wouldn't be a bad idea either.

It's possible I'm still not running enough oil in the tank, but 15 quarts seems like a lot more than most everyone else runs, especially since I don't have an oil cooler, and my lines are reasonably normal length, not super long. However, if that's what's needed, that's what needed.

Have I mentioned how stupid this hobby is? haha

[LIS20]

Are you using a round or square/retangular tank?? My engine builder wanted no part of the square/retangular tanks -- also sounds like you need more oil in tank - i would recommend the peterson 4-gallon with filter and brad penn oil

[AmickRacing]

The one I have now is a rectangle tank. Seems weird I'm having problems when there are thousands of them out there, but I like to be an innovator sometimes lol

I believe we have an older round peterson tank I might throw in and try out once the motor is fixed again. I'm not sure I'll go with a 4 gallon tank though (if I get new). I mostly run 15-20 lap mains, and my car is already heavy enough as it is.

[AmickRacing]

Found the likely problem, and it was a dumb one. The pickup tube in the oil tank wasn't fully welded. The top half of it was welded to the front of the tank, but the bottom half wasn't welded. So any time the oil wasn't against the front of the tank it'd suck air.

Glad I finally found the issue, just wish I stumbled across that earlier!

[MikeC1969]

Nice work! Glad you found it.