TA Block engine oil pressure

Hi guys,
I am just trying to get a feel for the oil pressure we are running in our engines with the TA455 blocks.
From what I have seen so far, these engines seem to be happy running mid 50lb op at +5000rpm.
I am running mid 60lb op above 5000rpm and want to drop it 10lb if I can safely.
I asked Wayne's engine builder what size restrictor jets they used and he said 0.060". Mine are 0.040".
If I was to drop my op by 10lb and open up my restrictors to 0.060" maybe that would work?
Your thoughts
Cheers

 

I was thinking my pressure would drop some with the brake-in.

It has not (maybe two pounds) so have gone to thinner oil first.

The first oil was Castrol 10W-30 and after draining the oil and checking the K&N filter out, I am trying Castrol 5W-20 to see if that will lower my idle oil pressure.

I also started with #60 Holley jets as recommended by Mike at TA Performance.

 

Hi Michael,
What is your oil pressure?
My idle oil pressure is around 20lb when hot.
Cheers

 

I primed with 1/2 inch drill ( 10W-30 oil) and it was steady at 42 pounds.

I just started with the oil change (5W-20 oil) and the guage read 30 pounds.

Will report back after I run the engine more.

 

Royden,
I think this is great thread we really need to share our experiences with oil pressures and our TA blocks. There's only a few guys running these set ups.I think comparing external pump oiling to internal pump oiling to external pickup to internal pump etc is a great idea. I will add my set up. My engine isn't done yet but I will be running Peterson wet/vac pump with -16 external pick up. This combo worked flawless on my iron 470. Let's hear some other TA oiling set ups.

 

I pulled from the outside of an SRE pan with #16 then drilled and tapped a hole intersecting the suction line in the block. I few more right angles that I wanted but I was really after simplicity with stock oil pump and filter. I think internal pick ups may be available so I may use that with the next block. I set oil pressure at 65 lbs. for no other reason than it seemed a good target. The engine has seen the north side of 7800 a number of times. Hot idle pressure is the typical 10-20 lbs. The bearings looked good enough to reuse when I tore it down last.

 

I had Steve (SRE) make me one for my block. I would think by now he would have a good feedback to make them flow well.

 

Thanks for your feedback guys.
The more info we can share about these great engines the more beneficial it will be for all of us.
I believe I was the first to run standard pump, internal pickup, of which I modified the TA pickup to suit my new pan. Now that Steve is making internal pickups, I might buy one and do away with mine? It works, but could probably work a bit better.
Cheers

 

Bruce,
I have an oil light that comes on below 18lb, and when the engine is hot, it flickers off/on at idle. At first it was a bit alarming, but then realised its ok. When I drove it the first time it wasnt just the engine that was new, the whole car, which I built, was new so it was a nervous time for me
Cheers

 

Frank,
Even talking to Mike, these engines are still somewhat experimental.
From what I have seen, these alloy motors are quite a different beast to the iron ones. Seem to take more abuse in more ways than one.
Cheers

 

The electric guage I have in the car is not that accurate. With the new oil (Castrol 5W-20), it looks to read 27 pounds at hot idle and shoots up to over 50 pounds with a touch of the thottle.

I will have to put my manual guage back on to get a better reading as it is gradurated better.


I remember that Steve R. was making the pickups with 7/8 inch tubing.

 

Hi Michael,
I would have thought 27lb at hot idle with 5W-20 was on the high side?
Yes I believe he is. Is your one 7/8"?
Mike also told me not to run full synthetic oil.
Cheers

 

I made a short video with my I Phone.

After warming up the engine and with Castrol 5W-20 oil...........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3PZlPdI6dk&feature=youtu.be

 

My oil temperature gauge decided to work Saturday when I went on a long drive and it was staying at 185 degrease and the water temp was at 165.

I forgot a picture I took of the System One oil fiter I took after I primied it one the engine stand.



This was even before I started the engine. My guess is that it would completely (the jelly) desolve when the temperture of the oil came up.

 

Looks like you used Vaseline (aka sludge) to pack the oil pump?

 

You'd be correct. Petroleum Jelly's melting point is ~100F.

Devon

 

Until then even if it's only 2min it could be blocking oil flow when it's needed most IMO.

 

I'll be running the same type oiling setup in mine.

 

I've never had a problem getting oil to the rockers after packing the pump. Doubt it's blocking anything. Heck, half the time if the temps are over 80*F I have a heck of a time have it keep the gears in place while I install the filter housing.