Curious about the use of a high volume oil pump vs. standard volume . I hear all the time about olds 455 oiling issues and the way I understand it ,under prolonged high rpm too much oil stays at the top of the motor not allowing sufficient oiling of the lower components . Wouldn’t a high volume pump compound this issue?(which brings up the point of oil restrictors)will this now starve another part of the engine ? And is there a level of performance at which you don’t have to worry about it ?i have also read about oil restrictive push rods is this another viable option ? Sorry for so many questions but I’m trying to educate myself from know Oldsmobile experts . Thanks

 

I don't believe Olds engines have oiling issues at all. Neither does Bill Trovato's book on Olds V8 engines. Personally I like the idea of extra oil especially up top to keep valve springs and components cool. Of course the trade-off might be more load on the cam gear and distributor drive with an upgraded pump. Olds engineers would not let all those cars go out the door without a good oiling system, and they had unlimited test facilities at their disposal. Good luck with your project.

 

And the common "fix" for this is to restrict oil flow to the top of the motor. Wouldn't it make sense to promote the oil flow back down into the pan instead?

 

Meaning open up the oil drain back holes in the heads and block ?i suppose the drain holes in the heads could be champhered and smoothed out to allow better drainback .

 

Thinking out loud, an olds owner has a few places to improve drain back.
The oil return holes in the head, and a couple three places in the valley, front rear and middle. These locations could be at least deburred. I don't know if any polishing would yield big results.

I don't know how much a guy can open up the return holes in the head without it being a big problem. Maybe someone knows exactly a safe number.

I believe a little work in these areas could help drain back. I just don't believe its going to be big gains. I'll admit I've deburred and semi polished my personal heads and blocks in these local areas.

One other area to at least reference on the pressure side, is the oil hole where the pump meets the main cap. Smoothing the transition in this area a little should be a benefit, but again probably small gains.

I've used the melling hv pumps in my last two engines. I've come to the conclusion that its not needed. Thats my general opinion.

 

Thank you guys for the input .

 

You didn't say plans for your engine but my opinion use a stock oil pump with a stock oil pan. If you upgrade to a high volume oil pump also upgrade to a larger oil pan. I bought into Joe Mondello's way of building an oiling system 20 years ago. My 1967 Olds 98 has notched rods, oil restricters, hy-vol oil pump and 7 quart oil pan. Probably a little over kill but it's still alive and I'm ready for Bonneville if I get the itch.

 

Mostly street driven I do have a toro pan for it so a little extra capacity . I’ll go with the standard volume

 

Throw the Toro pan away, it’s junk.
What are your bearing clearances? What is your anticipated hp? Stock rods?
Those those things dictate your oil pump choice.

 

ill check with the machinist on the bearing clearances stock rods 400 ish hp the toro pan ill use .not sure why its "junk".

 

Because it holds oil in the front sump and whips it.

 

fair enough ! another thing to add to my list .thanks

 

I'll take it as it's "junk" .. I gotta fwd so I have to use it...

Mark any difference in oil pumps for the fwd 350s? M22g and m22f the same? I don't want to get the wrong oil pump.. I'm about to rip the 307 outta the fwd parts car I got(79 eldorado with a 307) and see what's usable..
I know it's a old post but when I looked up oil pump it popped up first..