Need recommendation for 409 oil pump

[msmit62]

Fellas,

My Dad and I have been trying to put a 409 together for him and we're getting close. I bought a lot of the components from CH Enterprises including the oil pump: a Melling #10552 which is supposed to have 10% more volume than a stock small block pump. I was recently reading the new Chevy Rumble magazine with all the 348/409 articles, and according to Lamar Racing, a high volume pump should NOT be used b/c it will suck the stock pan dry. But he goes on to talk a/b the differences between small and big block oil pumps (volume output, pressure, etc). I'm wondering if my pump is ok or not. It's already installed and the pan has been put on and all sealed up. Also, we didn't have valve covers with the drippers...is this going to be a problem? Lamar also mentioned in the article that the drippers were important to make sure the rocker balls got oil. Dad's engine uses the stock passenger car pan with all the stock rockers, pushrods, etc.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

[fatride]

I have used both the small block pumps and the high volume pumps. The small block pump would not give me the oil pressure that I was comfortable with so I went back to the high volume high pressure pump. I race my 409 and shift at 5500 rpm I have had no issues with oil pressure or oil delivery. I'm pretty sure that Smokey Yunick tested the different pumps and found that the high volume pump would not empty the pan and that a high volume pump emptying the pan was just a myth ! Rule of thumb is for every 1000 rpm you should have 10 lbs oil pressure. I would not take the engine apart.
PS, Curt harvey would not sell you a pump that would not be suitable for your build!

[jim_ss409]

I've gotta agree with Fatride. Any pump you get from Curt will be right. Curt warned me that there "could" be a problem if you used a pump with too much volume, but my guess is that the additional 10% would be fine. I guess drippers are always a good idea but I know a lot of guys don't have them. It's probably not as important if you are running normal spring presures. I have seen the drippers for sale seperately, I guess you tack weld them to the stock valve covers. I can't remember where I saw them. It might have been Show Cars. :dunno

[b-d409]

Matt,

jim_ss409 is correct about Showcars having the rails for sale seperately.

I'm a little curious about the high volume pump issue myself now. Anyone else have input into this issue?

b-d409

[Mr.Jimmy]

I have a hv 3/8 of an inch from the bottom and run it hard all the time. Shift the ZF alot at 6500....Its fun leaving those toll booths in Chicago. :brow

[64ss409]

Its fun leaving those toll booths in Chicago. :brow :rofl :rofl :rofl


I have been running a hv since 1965, 140,000 miles, but with hydraulic lifters I shift at 5000.
Ron

[Impalaguru]

I had a HV pump empty the oil pan in my old 69 Cutlass. It totally wiped out the crank. I was, however, running it in SUB-ZERO weather. When I had the bottom end re-done, the machinist installed oil restrictors. Probably not a concern if its just a spring/summer/fall car.
Ross

[msmit62]

Thanks for all the good info guys. You're right a/b Curt, and just for the record, I wasn't attempting to suggest anything otherwise. He was an invaluable resource to me when I began this project and it never ceased to amaze me how much knowledge that he has and how willing he was to share it with me. I just wanted to throw out the question the question a/b the pump after I read that article in Chevy Rumble.

Thanks again!

Matt

[Mr.Jimmy]

I didn't read the article...but Lamer is all about super motors...750+ horse if I remember right. So take that with a grain of salt. Not that I'm saying its right or wrong, but what I'm thinking its an apple to a grapefruit side by side.

[4speedman]

I have a oil pump that came from curt harvey and it works out just fine.The pressure is about right at any rpm.The oil return holes in the heads are small in a w motor and might not be able to return the oil to the pan as fast as it builds up in the rocker area at high rpm .But on a street motor it should not be a problem