Getting rid of the mechanical flathead pump

[Kevin Lee]

49-53 motor. what's the easiest way you've found to block the passage where the pump rod used to be? This is a built motor so I don't want to start running taps into it and I'm not crazy about the "backtaps" either. I assume just leaving the pump rod in will wipe out the lobe.

[Mike]

In my best Young Frankenstein "Igor" voice, What pump?

[alchemy]

On the flatty I'm doing right now, I'm in the same boat as you. Done motor, don't wanna make a mess. So I took a stock pump rod and lowered it into the block. Made a mark at the level where it fit into the bushing boss. Then, sitting on the workbench, I made a weld bead around the rod about 3/8" lower than the mark. That way the rod will plug the hole like it used to, but won't touch the lobe.

Haven't run it to see if it will rattle yet though.

I did consider just using a hose clamp to hold the rod up, but thought it might shake loose inside there.


- alchemy

[Digger_Dave]

Grim, see if you can find a "WELSH PLUG" (same as the type used to plug the sludge traps on crankshafts) that's a tight fit in the pushrod hole.VERY carefully put a small amount of Loctite on the plug and drive it into the hole.

Unfortunatly I can only give a "30 and 30" gaurante on this idea; you know, "30 feet or 30 minuits"; which ever comes first!

Have seen a "plug" made of brass, same diam. on one end (as the pushrod) tapering out to about .001 or .002 LARGER. Loctite and drive in hole.

[Baron Von Mike]

Cupped plug?

http://hubbardspring.com/cupplug.htm

[Baron Von Mike]

Uno mas.

This is how my oil hole is plugged.

Better diagram (http://www.seastrom-mfg.com/Seastrom_Manufacturing_Catalog/Engineering/eng-expansionplugs_Main.htm)

[Mike]

Ahh... it's the fuel pump.

When I switched to an electric fuel pump on my 59A motor I just pulled the pushrod out and put a block off plate on the fuel pump stand. At the time I hadn't heard or read anything about plugging the hole for the pushrod. I've run it with that set up for over three years with no loss in oil pressure and no problems. I don't know, maybe I just got lucky.

Mike

[Digger_Dave]

[ QUOTE ]
Uno mas.

This is how my oil hole is plugged.

Better diagram (http://www.seastrom-mfg.com/Seastrom_Manufacturing_Catalog/Engineering/eng-expansionplugs_Main.htm)

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the type. The term Welsh Plug seems to used here in Canada more often.

[Digger_Dave]

[ QUOTE ]
Ahh... it's the fuel pump.

When I switched to an electric fuel pump on my 59A motor I just pulled the pushrod out and put a block off plate on the fuel pump stand. At the time I hadn't heard or read anything about plugging the hole for the pushrod. I've run it with that set up for over three years with no loss in oil pressure and no problems. I don't know, maybe I just got lucky.

Mike

[/ QUOTE ]

Mike, you are one of a number of flathead people that just took the pushrod out and never experienced any loss of oil presure.

On the other hand a number (me included) noticed a big drop in presure without a plug in the hole. I have to wonder if the oil hole in the lower pushrod bushing comes in different sizes (small hole; small loss vs. large hole; large loss) or could have been aligned incorectly.

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
I have to wonder if the oil hole in the lower pushrod bushing comes in different sizes (small hole; small loss vs. large hole; large loss) or could have been aligned incorectly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Or option B, sludged & plugged! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Bruce Lancaster]

On the late engine, I think there is only a tiny pinhole oil passage through the bushing (clean the hole with carb spray and peer down there with a light), but nothing would surprise me--either the cup plug, cutoff pushrod secured against riding the cam, or cutoff bolt of suitable diameter and dipped in permatex should be more than enough. An actual issue here is blocking oil flung from below by the rotating parts--a flathead missing the little clip in baffles or that vertical tube up front will frequently smoke and foul plugs from all the oil tossed up into the galley being drawn up the guides, and it's just possible the pushrod hole might pass enough oil to make a bit of trouble. Before you pluggit, drop in the pushrod and see if it moves maybe .2" upandown--if it does, why can the mechanical pump? At least make the pluggage easily reversible.

[alchemy]

I thought my method was best because it IS easily reversible. No gouges in the bushig from a welsh plug or plugged up oil holes from gasket sealer. Just the original rod that Henry built, but not going all the way down to contact the cam.


- alchemy

[Kevin Lee]

Bruce - Clip in baffles where? No matter. I don't think I'm messing with the front of the motor - read on.

I made a block-off plate for the entire late pump system from some scrap aluminum plate. Looking at time available and what I have available in the basement I figure I'll just plug the hole in the valley, block off the hole in the intake and use the road draft tube for now. I'll adapt a pcv setup later when I can add the early breather to the back - this will probably require some work to the firewall to clear everything...engine space is TIGHT. This should work? I'm still trying to figure out the front cover. I keep forgetting to pull it off and last night I crashed before I could drag myself to the basement.