The V8 Owners Forum -

A bit of a long shot I had to take the V8 over to my freindly mecanic yesterday for a new starter and steering rack, when i got there i noticed a few dops of oil where i had parked up, a quick look under the car revealed a fair bit of oil around the pump/filter area
The engine is a V8Developments 5.0 prob only 500 mls since rebuild, over the winter i put some new braided oil cooler hoses on and a oil change.
My 1st thought was maybe a oil hose union that i hadnt niped up, a quick look though and it seemed to be coming from higher up where the pressure swith is, anyway the mecanic said he would check it out, spoke to him today to arange collection tomoz and he said he had cleaned up the oil and ran it for 10 mins NOTHING he took it out for a short run and still NOTHING no oil leaking
Hes going to have another look tomorrow, but just wondering if anyone as any ideas? Oil pressure etc is fine. When i dropped it off i did give it a bit of stick,
Just puzzled where and why

The only way is to clean it all up, and keep an eye on it.....

Chris.

Found the culprit The oil presure take off, Theres a airline crack in the cover where the tapered adaptor screws into it.
The next question is what are they like to replace? its just with the storys about removing the pump cover and having priming probs and not having done one before any advice really appreciated, i was tempted to have TR trailored to a v8 specialist to get sorted, or is that overkill
Cheers
Steve

its overkill, yes they can be a problem sometimes but there is usually something else behind it like a worn pump, engine or the pickup not installed properly. Replacing the base is easy unless you have no access to it. To prime it either use a priming stick on a drill or pack the pump, you shouldnt have any problems.

Cheer fellas, Ill give it a go , Just need to get a cover ordered, Just wondering whist im at it, do you think it will be worth fitting a thermo take-off for the oil cooler? Just a bit dubious with it been a low mileage rebuilt engine and not wanting to wreck it
Any tips and advice really appreciated.
Steve

a thermostat with an oil cooler is always a very good idea, cold oil is not good for an engine and most of the time the oil cooler is too good and does not let your oil reach working temperature.
Mike

Who would be the best supplier for the cover and thermo take off? maybe mocal direct?

Steve

if you can get the same manufacturer for take-off, oil rad and thermostat then if they don't work together it saves alot of hassel sorting it out.
Mike

So would such as Mocal be a good choice? Strugling a bit to find a oil pump base and a thermo sandwich plate from one place. Mocal have the base but no thermo sandwitch plate in stock. and to make it worse the bloke that deals with there ordering is off untill next week

One of the V8 engine specialists mentioned not to bother with the thermo sandwich plate? which surpised me? they reckon they never use them on there engines?

In that case Mocal would be a good choice I would think. I would use a thermostat, in line one if not as a sandwich plate, I would not do without. I do not think your engine will get the oil hot enough without one.
Mike

Just got back from my hols and its time to put the new oil pump base/cover on , Just to be certain is it best to pack the pump gears with vasoline Does it mix well with oil Its just that iv spoken to a few mechanics whist iv been waiting for the parts and none of them have heard about packing the oil pump? wouldnt pouring some oil through the oil pressure port on the pump have the same affect on priming? Just nervous not wanting to wreck the engine
Any ideas what the tourqe settings are on the oil pump base bolts, Thanks

its fine to pack the pump, many many people do it all the time on the rover engine or you could buy/make a priming stick.

Speed flow are good for that sort of thing. Filter heads, pump covers, oil coolers, thermostats custom hoses etc....Cant give you the number though, im dont have the catlaogue to hane, im not at home. Try google.

Like marki said, replacing the housing is easy unless you cant get to it. Like in an mgb, steering rack out which means tracking needs doing, possibly new rod ends....Just a general pain in the arse.

As for the theromostat, yes a thermostat is a good idea as cold oil is not good and also alows the oil to warm up quicker but...

A lot of people say the rover doesn't need a cooler which is fair comment but it depends on application and on the particular engine. I have a thermostat in my MGB and a 13 row oil cooler. The cooler is usually red hot after a hot day and after giving it some, so the thermostat obviously thinks it needs an oil cooler so in my humble opinion not having a thermostat wouldn't be the end of the world, but having one would be beneficial. On the otherhand I have seen posts on here from people in Australia who run without an oil cooler at all!!

I didn't pack my pump with vaseline, but general purpose grease. Aslong as its slimy and slippery I couldn't care less. I made a priming stick By hammering a piece of half inch tube into a rectangle at the end, and welding a bolt to the other end to attach to the drill. If you got a few bits lyeing round mate, dont waste twenty quid on a specially made thing.

And packing the pump isn't essential if you can pour oil down it if you have got a cooler or remote filter but worthwhile whilst you got the cover off.I have just poured oil down after oil leaked from my pump base after a period of time leaving my pump unprimed!!

Haven't read your post enitirely so may not make much sense. You can blame the fact that im completely shatpanged for that.

Ime not trying to be diferent to the tried & trusted method of packing the pump with vasoline, but surely filling the pump with oil through one of the oil pump ports (oil pressure switch port) would prime the pump up ok?? they are accesable on mine
Just a thought