Here's my latest off-the-wall project. Lots of stovebolters complain about low oil pressure, particularly on 216 engines with a little mileage on them. Now, I'm aware that I might be opening a can of worms where some of our obsessive/compulsive theoretical lecturers are concerned, but I'm looking at things from over half a century of real-world experience, not some pipe dream with no hands-on proof. Oil pressure is simply a function of supplying a greater volume of oil than is being leaked away by bearing clearance. If a pump delivers more oil than the bearings, shafts, etc. are leaking back into the oil pan, pressure rises. It would be possible to lubricate an engine adequately with zero oil pressure, as long as every bearing is receiving precisely the amount of oil it needs. One drop in- - -one drop out- - - -zero oil pressure!
A small block V8 oil pump has pump gears the same diameter, but almost 1/4" longer than a stovebolt 6 pump. The pivot shafts are a different diameter and length, but I believe that problem can be addressed with a little custom machining. By fabricating a spacer plate between the pump housing and the end plate, and doing some tinkering with shaft sizes, I believe it's possible to fit a set of small block V8 pump gears to a stovebolt pump housing. Longer gears = more volume, and more volume = better oil pressure, particularly with somewhat worn bearings and other pressure leaks. High-volume oil pumps were never manufactured for Chevy inline sixes, as far as I'm aware. I've heard that some people use a GMC oil pump on a stovebolt engine for better oil pressure- - -is anyone familiar with how that's done?
Stay tuned for more details as the project progresses!
Jerry
