DeTomaso Mailing List: May 99, Message #151

Beware...
Too much oil can cause frothing and a DECREASE in oil pressure leading to
failure

Dont overfill, I trashed a Ferrari 348 that way (I hear the cuckles
already.....)


-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Antenucci [mailto:itbewild@gte.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 8:15 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: EXTRA QUART OF OIL?


Opinions are like A-holes. . .but wots everyone's take on adding an "extra"
quart
of oil at race time?
I would expect a insignificant decrease in HP but I've always done this open
tracking and at SS (where I'm pushing 7000 rpm) as "insurance" and never had
a
problem. . .BUT I now wonder if the extra oil is necessary and *might* be
causing
other problems.

Ready on the firing line? FIRE!

MD, who has 10qt baffled pan/windage tray, remote filter AND oil cooler.

John Parsons wrote:

> Dennis Antenucci wrote:
> snip
>
>  Why did this happen?
>  snip
>
> OK the autopsy is complete, and in it is a lesson for everyone.
> #8 rod bearing came out, but all the bearings have suffered from OIL
> STARVATION. My oil pump and system is fine.
>         There was a thread on oil sloshing sideways, big oil pans, etc.
>
> My situation is this, I drove a brand new motor to Vegas breaking it in.
> I drove with more gusto (rpm's etc) to the track the next day (about 400
> miles total time on the engine) where I would hook up with the truck
> carrying my fresh oil and filter, and race tires. well, in the morning
> at the track, the truck arrived and could not get in , because the first
> run group was under way, so I thought that I would take the opportunity
> to see where the new section of the course goes. 1st mistake.
>
> 2nd mistake: I didn't check the oil level.
>
>         I drove around for four laps, using 6000 rpm (for the first time)
down
> the back straight. 3rd mistake: I really should have waited for my fresh
> clean oil.
>
>         It is obvious that  an oil pressure loss had taken place, so
assuming
> 1: my oil level was already low, 2: 6000 rpm in two gears (moving a lot
> of oil into the valve train)  3: then a right hand sweeper and braking
> simultaneously, the oil that was left, sloshed away sideways and
> forwards, from the pickup, which is rear center, and that's when I hit
> the gas and got more noise than anything else.
>
> Yes, I do have a 10 qt oil pan.
> In the future I will keep a much closer eye on the oil level, and will
> probably still add that extra qt 'at the track' just for good measure!
>
> John ( getting real efficient at pulling engines)