[DeTomaso] cleveland oiling

Thu May 8 10:07:43 EDT 2008

Rod - what other oiling mods did you have?

I would hesitate to apply instructions for one engine to another.  The
instructions might be valid, but on the other hand, they might not be
addressing the real problem.

In my opinion (I'm not a pro engine builder - I just have free opinions)...

The #1 oil upgrade should be a Pantera specific oil pan.  I used to watch
the oil pressure dip on long turns with my stock pan.  When the pressure
gauge pointed to zero (yes - zero - it happened pretty fast), I would lift
on the throttle.  After about 5 seconds, it would pop back up to where it
belongs.  This was with a manual oil pressure gauge mounted in the proper
location at the rear.  A week after I saw the gauge hit zero, I bought a
Pantera pan.  I haven't seen the pressure hit zero since.

The #2 oil upgrade should be the Moroso restrictor kit.  You could instead
buy the proper allen head plugs and drill 'em yourself, but the Moroso kit
is only about $10.  It doesn't have a plug for the #1 main-to-cam because
that's where the oil comes in.  If you restrict it, you're restricting the
#1 main.  You're supposed to be restricting the oil going to the cam
bearings.  Take a look with the engine apart, and you'll see what I mean.
The procedure is probably different if you are using a hydraulic cam.  I'm
running solids.  I didn't pay attention to the hydraulic instructions.

Some people restrict #1 by using a long tap and drilling/tapping past the
feed where the oil comes from the filter.  I didn't do that, although I
think it is worthwhile.

Here's a good discussion about 351C oil system mods.  These guys are mostly
drag racers, but some are dirt track racers.  The beat their 351C's hard,
and are having plenty of success with the engines staying together:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/119419/thread/1207690007/Cam+bearing+oil+mods

I don't buy-in to the idea of running a line from the hole near the fuel
pump to the pressure gauge location near the back.  I don't think it hurts,
but I don't think it is necessary either.

If all you do is install a proper 351C pan, you have solved most of the
oiling problems you'll ever have.  If you are racing hard, you should
consider everything mentioned on the network54 thread.

Will.

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of Rod Kunishige
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:05 AM
To: justingreisberg at hotmail.com; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] cleveland oiling

Justin,
My 351C starved the main bearings on a LV track run proves a design flaw.  

Pls consider using an old Chevy trick on your 351C documented in "Cheverolet
Power" book 5th edition 1984 from GM Service.  Ample oil flow is supplied
the V6 chevys through grooving the Main Bearing Bores with a .125 groove to
retain some oil at the block side - page 1-6.  The top bearing is drilled
with 4 additonal .125 holes to allow more oil to drop into the mains.
Simply, a reservoir of additional oil remains above to feed each main.

Also, check page 3-11 to drill an oil hole for connecting rods.

Your engine builder probably already has experience with this procedure but
has not applied it to the poorly designed oil system found in the 351C.

My view is that this would not hurt the block but may be a better answer
than "supplementary" oiling systems.

Be sure to cross drill the crank too.

Remember these are words from a non-expert and no warranty is expressed or
implied.

Rod

Message: 3Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 05:10:45 -0700From: Justin Greisberg
<justingreisberg at hotmail.com>Subject: [DeTomaso] cleveland oilingTo:
<detomaso at list.realbig.com>Message-ID:
<BLU117-W16C72A4CEAB0C0C969DF6DA8D70 at phx.gbl>Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"  I am about to give my short block to the machine shop.
I am making a serious street rebuild, and am confused about the best oiling
mods. I have been following on the cleveland forum, but it seems hard to get
any straight answers/ I know that oiling mods are of questionable value for
street motors, but they are cheap and probably can not hurt if DONE
CORRECTLY. 1. I plan to put the moroso oil restrictors in. Should I leave
out number 1 so as not to minimize oil to distributor gear?? 2. I plan to
leave out restrictor to lifter valley since I will be using hydraulic roller
lifters/ 3. I will add external oil line because it is so easy to do. 4. I
will use full grooved main bearings to optimize oil. Please help answer
number 1. thanks- justin
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