I was preparing to fine-tune my crankcase vacuum pump system the other day, when I noticed very fine aluminum particles suspended in the oil in my catch can. PANIC ATTACK, loss of peripheral vision, sudden urge to puke, etc... I assumed that my engine was eating itself. So I change my oil and filters, paying close attention to the condition of the breakin oil I'm taking out. No issues. Oil is clean, no metal, slightly dark, which is to be expected, but all in all, fine. I pull a valve cover, no metal. Thank God, promise to go to church more, etc... It must be the vacuum pump. So today I call Aerospace Components and ask them. Sure enough, it's common, in fact it's expected. The pump is designed as a race only piece, and therefore has a life expectancy designed for that. It will, I'm told, always contaminate the oil mist that it pushes to the catch can.

Here's the problem. When I fabbed up this system, knowing that the pump will pull a certain amount of oil from the crankcase as it does it's job, I planned on making it a recirculating system. The oil that fell out of suspension in the catch can would be sucked back into the crankcase, thus eliminating the need to empty the can, and refill the oil in the engine. But, sinice the ejecta from the pump is a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum, I can't do that. Whole plan scrapped.

As a solution, I just went to Napa and bout $8 dollars worth of PCV and grommet. It won't have all the benefits of the belt driven evac system, but it should do the job.

Anybody that wants a great vacuum pump system for their racecar, there will be one on Ebay soon.

-Scouder

 

Scoot, I have never tried this? but I have been told by some of the guys that run Big Inch BBF on the street, have takin a smog pump apart and takin out the Plastic type impeller fins on the back! cause oil will eat those..and fabbed up some from sheet stainless or sheet metal for the impeller with good results? Just a thought, I would pass on??

Good Luck Scoot!!

Russ

 

Oh my God, Scoot. I'm surprised you didn't build an alter to the Ford gods right there on the spot! LOLOLOL.

 

There are "street oriented" evac systems out there. I'm sure you'll stumble across a solution. I can't believe that they'd build a part the eats itself up like that.

You're livin right though, can't imagine if you had already finished the recycle system.

I'll check around, if I see anything promising, I'll let ya know.