In a message dated 1/14/2011 4:39:32 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
dlomheim@aol.com writes:
Hey
Lynn; I recently read that one builder had an insert machined to be added to
his oil pickup tube to take up the space created by using a bed type mount
sandwhiched between the pan and block. My question is: is this really
necessary? Thanks for your insights as
always!
Doug.
Rather than have a hole in the plate to
allow for the pick up tube, I would drill a hole in the exact size of the pick
up tube, and a set to account for the mounting screws, and let the plate perform
that function. Mounting the stock or improved pick up tube to the bottom of the
plate. The stock tube length would then be perfect.
I would also make the only drain back hole about 7"
across by 3" front to back located directly below the center iron
drainback, where most of the oil falls back into the engine. So all of the
oil from the front and rear mains would spend more time on the plate. The longer
oil spends sliding around on the flat plate, the less foam it takes back into
the pan. If fear exists that debris might get through, then a big bug screen can
be added here.
If this is no longer an option, then extending the pickup tube
is acceptable. Fabricating a longer tube in a slightly bigger diameter and with
a nice bell shape on the end, with no bug screen, would be even better. As
Mistral discovered.
If the bell is large enough it needs trimmed to avoid touching the
pan. The bigger bell eliminates the need for a anti-vortex plate. The top of the
big bug screen does this in American V-8s.
Lynn E. Hanover