[TR] Oil Pressure Loss

[Geo Hahn]

David -

I'll freely admit I have no idea -- but my guess is that no harm was done.
<15 seconds is a very short time as evidenced by only 3 qts pumping out -
very possibly you were still getting oil pumped most of that time.

If it makes you sleep better - well it isn't too bad a task to drop the oil
pan and look at a connecting rod bearing.  I would expect those would get
the worst of whatever happened as they are the ones that first need
replacement in normal use.

Geo

On Sat, Dec 24, 2016 at 8:15 AM, david brady <dmb993 at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hi Folks,
>
> Big blunder on my part. Long story short, I inadvertently started the cold
> engine with the oil pressure tube disconnected. Runtime maybe 15 seconds
> with a couple of low rev throttle blips. I noticed a smell so I immediately
> checked the oil pressure gauge saw no pressure so I  shut off the engine.
> The smell was oil leaving the engine. I started the engine outside the car
> with the bonnet open which is typical for me. I need to manually hold the
> weber chokes shut with my hand as I turn over the engine.
>
> Here are the particulars:
>
> 1) cold engine
> 2) seven quarts of fresh 10w-30 Brad Penn oil in sump
> 3) start engine, maybe 15s (probably less) of runtime, no-load
> 4) 3 quarts of oil pushed out the oil pressure gauge fitting
> 5) engine has cam bearings.
>
>
> I replenished the lost 3 quarts of oil, started the engine, and went for a
> 20 mile drive. No external signs of anything wrong. Engine runs great.
>
> Several questions:
>
> 1) with the oil pressure loss out the disconnected fitting is there any
> chance of even a dribble of oil being fed to the oil galleries?
> 2) I understand about oil flow rate being important and about the
> hydrodynamic oil film required with plain bearings which actually generates
> the oil pressure in the bearing's oil film itself. I'm more concerned about
> the heat buildup at the bearings due to lack of flow. What are the chances
> of bearing damage due to heat buildup in this case?
> 3) which bearings would be the first to show damage? Main, connecting rod,
> cam?
> 4) is it recommended to drop the sump and roll out a bearing to check
> condition?
>
> Here's how it happened: a month or so ago I was testing the accuracy of my
> oil pressure gauge so I bolted on a new gauge. I then ran my tests and
> disconnected the tube from the crankcase in preparation to reconnect the
> stock tube, but I was then pulled away from project and failed to reconnect
> the stock pressure gauge tube. Fast forward a month and I completely forget
> that the engine's not buttoned up and I start the engine! Yikes!
>
> Thanks for your input,
> Merry Christmas,
> David
> '68 TR250
>
>
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