[Healeys] Feeling Pressured - Resolved

[Corning, Dan (D.C.)]

Thanks to all that responded!

As it turned out the pressure relief valve "plug" was evidently the wrong part for the application.  The spring would not sit inside the shoulder of the plug causing the spring to sit too far into the engine bore, forcing itself into the pressure relief valve and sealing it off.  I hated doing so but I drilled out the center of the plug, allowing the spring to sit inside.  (Before and after photos)  I cleaned all the shavings up, reinstalled and test cranked the engine, the pressure was reduced by almost half, down to 50 PSI.  Thanks again!


Best,

Dan Corning

From: Richard J. Hockert <rjhco at att.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2018 9:21 AM
To: Corning, Dan (D.C.) <dcorning at ford.com>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Feeling Pressured

You have correctly diagnosed the problem.

Solution is to end up with correct spring pressure.  Since the spring fits into the valve, it is likely the correct spring.

Either change plug or bore out the center of the plug.

Spring fits into the plug on my engine.
Best regards,
Jim
_____________________________________________
From: Corning, Dan (D.C.)
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2018 1:08 AM
To: 'healeys at autox.team.net' <healeys at autox.team.net>
Subject: Feeling Pressured

I'm trying to diagnose why my BT7s oil pressure too high after rebuilding the engine.  With the spark plugs removed, engine cranking oil pressure builds to 90 PSI.  I did install a high capacity oil pump from Healey Surgeons but I don't think that is the root of the issue.  I've never started the engine after the rebuild and won't until I get this resolved.

Looking through the archives for similar problems led to the possibility the oil pressure relief return port was covered during the rebuild, blocking the return of oil to the sump.  To test this, I pulled the oil pressure relief valve and spring, put the plug back in and cranked the engine.  The cranking oil pressure dropped significantly, low enough that it didn't register on the gauge.  If I'm correct, that eliminates the return port as the problem because if they WERE plugged, the oil return still would have been blocked and the pressure would have still been high.  I suspect it's now more likely the pressure relief valve is sticking in the bore or simply too much spring pressure keeping the valve closed.

I trial fitted the pressure relief valve back in the engine bore and didn't feel any binding although the valve did have some scoring.  Reviewing each component, I noticed the spring fits nicely inside the back side of the pressure relief valve but does not fit INTO the cavity inside the plug.  (see photo)  Is it possible I have the wrong plug?  Maybe switched the oil pan plug with the pressure relief plug forcing the spring too far into the pressure relief bore?

Any ideas that might help me pinpoint the concern?

Best,

Dan Corning

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