Chris,

I really appreciate your knowledge and interest in pursuing technical
answers to experiential matters.  From my background as a youth with auto
mechanics; as long as the sump pumps (ie no cavitation) and temps stay
normal your bearings should be ok.  That is why I wasn't worried about the
motor.  Thanks for your knowledge to that matter.  You are right the prop
governor would have probably failed first since it is on the left front of
the motor and the highest device other than the cam in the oil system.  The
sump would continue to pump; the governor would fail.  Good point.

What saved my skin was I checked the oil. I was one quart low.  I converted
from mineral oil to 15-50 and thought I need to add a quart of oil but all I
have left is mineral oil.  So I asked myself, should I mix it or just go
with 7 quarts. ( I have a wolf oil filter system).  I opted to mix it and
added a quart of mineral oil.  That additional quart of oil save my plane
and my bacon.  SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooo.

You can ask the question again, what is the minimum  amount of oil to safely
run.  In the above particular case, the answer is 8 quarts. under normal
circumstances, probably 5 quarts.

Bob Smiley
N94RJ