I have never returned the oil to a point below the oil level so I have no personal experience with that arrangement.  But  ---- there have been around 5 reported cases of oil leaking past redrive oil seals when the oil return was below the oil level in the pan.  Draw your own conclusions.

 

Message received.  Does this leakage cause any harm to the seals, or just make a mess?  In other words, would it hurt anything if I decide to give it a try?

 

If you are looking for a convienient place to return oil,  drill & tap  a hole (1/4" NPT) in the "foot" of the flywheel end rotor housing on the spark plug side.  It is at the perfect height, close to the return from the drive and away from the hot exhaust.

 

Tracy Crook

Bruce mentioned this too, but with the engine all sealed up, I can’t see how I’d capture all the drilling chips.  I’ve got the oil injection location in the front cover to block, so maybe I’ll just put a fitting in a cover plate and return it there.  That was the original plane.  Of course I am going to install a hose to the oil pan drain bolt anyway, just for oil change purposes.   

 

Thanks,

Rusty (very frustrated with the cowl at the moment)