After reading all of the problems that a high volume/ high pressure oil pump can do to the front cam bearing in a 455, I have decided to take mine out. Am I making a mistake by doing this? o No: My motor has been running fine so far, but I do not want to hurt the front cam bearing. I do have a bronze gear on the distributor and have noticed some wear on the gear. This is a strip only car that runs 11.80's and I am just worried that I am making a mistake by removing the high volume/high pressure pump. Let me know what you guys think? Tony
I am in the same boat. Have not touched the motor since I got the car and have put about 3000 miles on it. I know that the motor has not had any changes for at least 5 years so I think I will leave it alone. I did switch to synthetic oil to lighten the load, but it still carries 20# at hot idle and 60# at 3000 rpm. Does not go over 80# when hot at 5500. Don't know what I will do when I rebuild over the winter.
I have had one in for 20k miles, I also went to a synthetic to lighten the "load" when cold, I use a bronze gear and change it about every 8k miles as it will wear. Think of all the stress on that little roll pin driving the pump, if it were to much stress it would shear, I think most cam bearing problems are from the front bearing design and people going to to much spring pressure in the valve train. My pump is the ole KB kit from years ago with the alum spacer. I am going to keep my HV pump where it belongs....in the motor.
Tony, I'm no supporter of the HV-HP pump, however in a strip only car, if your having no problems I would leave it alone. Just exercise due caution, like I'm sure you're doing. Don't rev the motor when the oil is cold, and, run and inspect, a bronze gear.
Wow, I thought this post would have a lot more replies by now.. How about everyone with first hand info chime in here on the HP/HV oil pump thing.....good things bad things, I would like to hear about them as I'm sure others will as well. I'm still thinking about that little roll pin(1/8" i think) having to drive that great big oil pump.....anyone else thinking the same.....just looks like it would shear off on startup.. My oil pressure is, with mobil 1(5-30), about 12-14lbs at hot idle in gear(700rpm's) but it comes up very quick and tops out about 65psi.....would love to hear more from other. P.S. I have often wondered if i went the wrong way going with the big pump but after so many miles and only one set of lifters maybe not...........:laugh: Oh and almost forgot I run STOCK cam bearings too...........:shock: :shock: :shock:
pump I thought that this thread would of had more posts also. I took my HV/HP pump out due to all of the horror stories that I have heard. I too run the stock cam bearings in my motor and have had no problems yet. I only use my car on the 1/4 mile drag strip and it sees NO street time at all. I have 90 psi of oil through the traps at 5600. I shift at 5200 and through the traps at 5600. I have everyone tell me that that is too much oil pressure and that I will hurt something if I do not reduce the oil pressure. Of course all of these are Chevy people and we all know how to take thier advice. I have an adjustable regulator on the front cover and I have it backed all of the way off trying to take away some of the pressure. I run 10w-40 motor oil to try and reduce the pressure also. I guess what I am trying to ask is if I take out the longer pump gears am I going to hurt anything? Any advice will be appreciated!:Comp: Thanks, Tony Rossini 81 Olds Cutlass / 455 Buick powered:TU: 11.86 @ 111.34 1.55 60 foot
HV OIL PUMP I have run a hv pump in my street car since 1986 without problems about 20k miles & hundreds of 1/4 mile passes. Had rod bearings fail before the cam bearings. I run the thinnest oil to maintain pressure & let the engine warm up slowly. I have 70 psi going through the traps & 5300 rpm's. Randy
I would take it out....and run a booster plate....since you are showing good OP now. If it was on the low side I would hang onto it. 70 to 80 lbs is plently. Any more and it wastes HP and stresses the cam/dist gear and front cam bearing. A loose race motor might need it if set up with .003-.0035 clearances..... Also, I believe the H/V pump can possibly run the oil in the pan low if running a stock pan. I'd like to see a motor on the dyno with a window in the pan to see what's going on. JW, have you ever done anything like that? Bruce
