Iain T

So the internal oilway is recommended to be blocked? I haven't physically seen the kit I assumed the banjo end is at the head end.

Yes the head is clear and checked twice and the oil way from the cam up is clear. As I said the lack of oil is from worn journals or restricted oil way to the journal, however this has also been checked and rechecked. I assume the company has many widgets and gadgets to clear and clean oilways. They have also used their cctv camera to inspect. Unfortunately no work was done on the car yesterday but I will know today!

John, yes there is a restrictor or on your favourite 'must have' Just waiting for the call back and I'll be off to see where we are........

Nick, although a partially blocked oilway could be the problem the engine company has done many Triumph engines before and as I said current race engines. They also have a dedicated engine builder who has been with them for decades so I have to believe them when they say all the oilways are clear. I think the front shells wear (they were down to the copper? base in places) was down to low oil pressure on a longish high speed run due to a very soft prv spring and possibly compromised pump. That is now fixed. As to the rocker feed, with the aid of the ext feeder that should be fixed. However what caused the lack of oil flow is puzzling. Oil does dribble out of the head at the pillar hole so there is oil at the cam journal. My bet is worn block journal although they say there isn't I would have to be convinced as to ovality and roundness. Looking at the oil diagram Gully sent the rocker feed comes off vertically and I assume most of the journal wear would be at the bottom as the pressure on the cam is always from the top. What I don't know is how much wear would result in oil being squeezed out the side in preference to up to the rockers. Probably very little wear would have a large effect. Iain

Pete, You and me both!

Nick, where did you locate your oil pressure gauge? Iain

Kevin, I've seen this before in my many many searches for enlightenment! I understand the potential lack of oil to the front of the engine but you are saying it is also restricted to the rear? Reading the Sideways posts drilling out the main oil gallery is a must. Iain

The answer is I don't know, but I'll be writing down the questions for tomorrow just in case I have a senior moment!

Well if as I am told the prv spring was extremely weak then that could result in low oil pressure. I would beg to differ, an hours blast at that or near that pressure could be enough to trash some shells at the end of the oil line. It will be an interesting visit tomorrow, I am not angry just concerned it doesn't happen again! I knew that engine stand would come in handy! Iain

Yes to you and I number 1 farthest away from the pump.

I did have intentions to build the block up but other things got in the way! Me coming into my old company during lockdown and getting comments being one, even though I was about 60 feet away from the nearest other person. Iain

Anyone got an oilway diagram?

Thanks for all your input, I understand the logic. The plug bolt that was removed was the one at the end of the head to check the flow. I need to visit the builder tomorrow. Iain

When I first tested I took the rocker assembly off and with plugs out cranked the engine over for some time and a mear dribble came out. I do have a video but for some reason won't upload. This and the feeling the engine was not running smoothly first set me off on the latest escapade! The builder ran the engine up using a gun out of the car and again after an initial spurt out of the head rear oil cross drill bolt flow reduced to virtually nothing. Colin, thanks for the offer but the new refurbished bushed rocker assembly from TRGB has been rechecked and is fine. It's the oil volume and pressure which is the issue. The engine will be run up again today with the reduced flow ext feeder and I'm visiting tomorrow to chew the cud. I don't mind the ext feeder as a get out of jail fix. I do however wonder how the mains/big end picked up. Am I right in saying if the prv spring was soft then oil will be dumped back into the sump hence lack of oil in the system? Iain

Just spoken to the engine builder and he did measure the block cam journals and they were OK. ????

At work today so time is money! I think I have two distinct problems, first the oil pump and prv weren't changed when rebuilt and secondly worn camshaft journal. The first I believe caused a lack of pressure so the furthest main and big end shells picked up. The second allows oil to leech out so very little volume or pressure can be maintained to the rockers. The solution to the first is easy replace the items, now done but should have been done when rebuilt especially given the provenance of the engine. The second could have been identified by checking the block cam journals with a bore gauge. Again obviously not done but if measured I could have made an informed decision on wether to scrap or line bore and fit bearings. Both old and new cam bearing diameters are the same but the engine with even the old cam had only done 5k miles and being much harder it will always be the block journal that wears. Not a good outcome but could have been worse as if run much farther it could have resulted in a catastrophic failure. Grrrrrrr

The engine is in the car complete so not easy to check...again! The oil way is definitely clear. The block doesn't leak oil externally but there must be an internal crack that is letting oil escape. With the fix in place the engine builder assures all will be OK. The new oil pump has excellent pressure and coupled with the new relief valve it seems a fix that will work. The builder has done thousands of engines from standard to full race and this according to him it's the only reason for the oil problem. I can feel a huge bill coming 😥 Iain

I know where I will end up in 'X' months/years, I'll build a new separate short block and change over when the dust has settled and my wife isn't cackling in my ear....

Colin, not sure how it will be fitted. I'm taking decisions remotely, I'll visit the guy tomorrow. Iain

Another slight relief to my external oil feed worries is because I have the bushed rocker arms there should be far less oil seepage than with standard tolerance rockers. All will be fine.........

No not a lot of oil coming out, the problem seems to be in the block. The new relief valve spring is a lot stiffer than the original so perhaps this was part of the problem causing pick up on the mains/big ends farthest away from the pump. I will reduce the diameter of the banjo bolt hole. The only other option is new block, bore, hone, pistons etc etc

Bad news, the new oil pump has 90+psi pressure when cold and 75 when hot but still very little oil to the rockers!!!! The oil ways are definitely clear so it must be a cracked block????? The only solution, apart from a new block etc etc is to fit the dreaded external oil feeder and update the relief valve. The engine guy has done this to a racing Triumph and all seems ok. Is it still necessary to reduce the feeder hole down to 0.8mm'ish diameter? I'm not happy!!!!!!!!! Iain

The box says Caerbont which makes all Smiths instruments so I think it's the real deal from a reputable supplier. Haven't had a chance to phone them today but I will Monday. Iain

I'll phone Smiths and ask. The engine should be ready to go in by midday tomorrow. I'm going to the engine guy in the morning to take a peak.

Good point! It says Smith's made in the UK suburb of China....... Bought from Competition Supplies, Silverstone. I'm going to need therapy😳😵