is there a such thing as an electric external oil pump?? i have heard stories but have never seen proof. i think it would be nice to be able to turn on the pump before starting on those cold days.........

 

Pre-oilers do exist if that is what you are asking. They are not cheap. I saw one a few years ago and thought it was cool, until I saw the price. I then realized that I actually could live without it. I am not sure, but I think you might have to switch to a dry sump oil system for the pre-lube system. I think Summit may have had it, but then again I am not positive. Like I said, it was a few years ago.

 

30-35 years ago several local circle track cars had home-made pre-oilers on them. As best as I can remember they consisted of a small hydraulic accumulator, a ball type shut-off valve, a pipe "Tee", lines and fittings. I think the accumulators they were using came of a farm tractor or some industrial hydraulic system. An accumulator is essentially a steel tank with a pressurized (air or nitrogen @ about 20 PSI for this purpose) rubber "bladder" inside. The ones they were using would hold probably a pint to 3/4 quart of oil and were about the size of an old quart oil can with a pipe fitting on one end (oil) and a Shraeder (air) valve on the other. Installed a "tee" at the oil sending unit port and ran a line with the shut-off valve to the oil filled (but un pressurized) accumulator, then with the valve closed-pressurized the accumulator. Opened the valve to purge the lines, then adjust air pressure to about 20 PSI. Crank engine and allow engine oil pressure to fill the accumulator, then close the valve to contain the pressurized oil. From then on, open valve just prior to each cranking and close valve before each shut down. I never did get around to putting one on my car but I helped install one on a friends car. He later claimed he got 3 or 4 times longer bearing life.
Piffery1

 

I've heard of electric oil pumps, not sure if they were int or ext or if they were pre or regular duty pumps.

Also the pressure can is a nice option, I watched the guy on Horsepower TV install one on their 'SuperNova' basically what Piffery1 just described. with a few differences. They used an adapter flange where the oil filter goes and that had the inlet/outlet I believe and they initially pressured up the can to 100psi and the engin would pressure it back up to 80psi then you close the valve, it only takes a few seconds to pressure it up again.

 

I think the accumulator bladder pressure has to be lower than the oil pressure in order for oil to be returned to the accumulator when the engine is running. The function of the pre-oiler is just to get enough oil to the bearings to prevent "dry start". They don't really have enough oil capacity to provide oil pressure while starting like an externally driven oil pump could provide. Even though I used assembly lube or STP when building up my race motors, I always drove the oil pump with an electric drill just before putting in the distributors and starting them up for the first time just to make sure all the passages were full.
Piffery1

 

i appreciate your replys, even sounds like something i will try, but i was originally asking about an external pump that replaces the original pump, im gonna run an electric water pump to get a couple extra horses, and i was thinking and electric oil pump my free up a couple horses as well.....it would also allow for pre-oiling..............

 

Enter this in your search engine: EMP: Advanced Products - Electric Oil Pump.
Piffery1

 

man i just checked that out, that pump is awesome, thats exactly what im looking for, i just wonder how much they are gonna charge for that thing...im gonna keep my eye on it.......thanx for the info......any other options out there that some of ya'll might know of??

 

Thats pretty cool. I have been wanting to install an external oil pump on the rear axle, and manual tranny in my F-600, allowing for a cooling system, (and thinner oil)