TA Block Oil Drain back

Discussion in 'Tomahawk Block Buildups' started by jmhock, Jun 25, 2021.

  1. jmhock

    jmhock Well-Known Member

    I am building a TA block for street use and read about some of the oiling issues. Are you guys using main clearance of 0.0027/28? Also anyone used the oil repelling coatings to improve drain back? I am using a windage tray and maybe a scrapper. Using a TA scavenger pump, external pu with 16AN line. Feeding into the pressure sensor and lifter galley at rear of block. Steve Reynolds oil pan.
     
  2. GS Kubisch

    GS Kubisch THE "CUT-UP" BUICK

    In a street application, I doubt you'd ever see the situation I experienced.

    But for the sake of information I will share what I learned the first few times out.

    I started with no restrictors. This along with an external belt drive pump sucking the pan dry was causing fluctuation in oil pressure about 4.4 seconds into a run.

    My first 1/4 mile run showed oil pressure dropping dangerously low for the RPM. Thank goodness for data loggers, I was able to make changes and avoid catastrophe.

    I added drain back lines from the back of the heads to the oil pan. Also added .080 restrictors to the rear of the block. And lastly, a 3 quart accumulator.

    This stabilized oil pressure throughout the full 1/4 mile.

    In the future I will remove the expanded metal windage tray and replace with a louvered piece.

    I wouldn't describe these as "issues" with this block, but rather details of a high end aftermarket piece. Any engine at this level will require some foresight and attention to detail.

    Every time out I learn something new. This block has opened a whole new chapter in Buick performance.
     
    Todd69GS and Steve Reynolds like this.

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