[Land-speed] Dry Sump Tank Questions...

[Larry Mayfield]

I am considering the use of a dry sump system. Why? Well, the aspect of 
fire caught my attention.  Ventilating the pan with a lot of oil at full 
boogie makes a big mess and even bigger fire if it gets ablaze.  So, a 
smaller blaze with a small oil pan for oil collection only.

If there is a link to something that can provide me with an education on 
the kinds of questions below, I sure would appreciate it! I suspect 
others would like it also!

Just put your comments after the questions for me?

  I see there are at least two different types of tanks: round and 
square. Seems to me that a square or rectangular tank provides for more 
oil than a round one of the same basic dimension, however, there appears 
that there are more round ones than rectangular. Any idea as to why? 
Seems like a flat sided one would be easier to locate and mount.


I have seen some in catalogs with removable tops or panels, both round 
and square and I guess that would be for removable of debris; but seems 
to me that if debris is present in the tank then the pump is probably 
toast.  So, why would a LSR team need a cleanable tank like that?  Looks 
like another place to leak.


Now, does the shape of the tank have anything to do with deareating the 
oil returned from  the engine sump? Is round better for getting rid of 
air in the oil? Why would that be?  Does the tank need a vent? Other 
than the cap? I would guess so since air can be trapped in the oil as it 
goes though the engine and it needs a place to escape.  However, if a 
crankcase vacuum system is used though, would the vent be required? 
Maybe a vent connected to the engine internally with a hose so that air 
pressure is balanced everywhere?


Should the tank be located below the pump to prevent siphoning or 
draining back into the engine pan when the engine is off?


For LSR type activities, are multi stage scavenge systems needed?  I 
have see some with pick ups in the lifter valley, the valve covers, and 
the pan in two or more places.   Are pumps driven at engine speed? Or 
under/over driven?


Finally, pressure regulators.  Since oil is incompressible, then the 
pressure regulator is also a flow regulator as well.  I have an external 
NASCAR regulator on my parts shelf, but where to actually put it in the 
system? Seems to me that putting it just after the pump is draining flow 
from the engine. The "extra" oil being dumped could be put directly into 
the pan where the scavenge system would return it to the tank or 
actually plumbed to the tank directly: that seems better, but, is it? 
What if the OP regulator is at  the last place to get oil? Wouldn't that 
be an ideal place because that way oil is delivered at full flow and 
pressure to those places that absolutely must have both flow and 
pressure: main bearings and rod bearings.

Standing by for any and all replies, no matter what they might be! I get 
a lot of "you dumb f**k" so even those are ok.

larry

aka dipstick, dumb shit, idiot, no brains etc...

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drmayf
Worlds Fastest Sunbeam, period.
204.913 mph flying mile
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