Modifications for the Ford FE's Oil System

[FL SAAC]

This article came from the Ford FE Forum

Modifications for the Ford FE's Oil System

This topic comes up often and either gets a too brief a reply or turns into a real argument about what should be done and, occasionally, why it should be done. 

I've split this into three parts. 

Part One is basic engine oil system theory. 

Part Two explores the stock FE oiling system where we find out why Ford created the Sideoiler. 

Part Three makes some recommendations for modifications to the oiling system.

http://www.fordfe.info/Forum/Oil.html

[Lfino]

Lykins youtube channel

[FL SAAC]

Lykins youtube channel

can you elaborate more on your answer
Thank you

[tesgt350]

We had a guy in my town who used to Race Thunderbolts and he was THE FE Guy.  He built the Race Engine that I bought for my 70 R-Code Mach 1.  It had 720 HP to the Rear Wheels, mega Compression and 13-1 Forged Pop Up Pistons.  He had to plug a couple of the Oil Passages to boost the Oil Pressure.  The Engine was put in my friends Factory 427 Fairlane (65-66) but he kept blowing the Automatic Transmission up so he decided to switch things up and sold me the Drive Train.  I put the Engine in front of a Top Loader and never lost a Race.  I miss those Days.

[roddster]

Lykins is a premier Ford FE engine builder.

  The article is very informative.  Thank you

  I am surprised that there wasn't any information about what oil weight to use.

[FL SAAC]

Lykins is a premier Ford FE engine builder.

  The article is very informative.  Thank you

  I am surprised that there wasn't any information about what oil weight to use.

Glad you enjoyed the article

And thank you for the info

We personally have used Mobil 1 15w50 in all our cars

[FL SAAC]

We had a guy in my town who used to Race Thunderbolts and he was THE FE Guy.  He built the Race Engine that I bought for my 70 R-Code Mach 1.  It had 720 HP to the Rear Wheels, mega Compression and 13-1 Forged Pop Up Pistons.  He had to plug a couple of the Oil Passages to boost the Oil Pressure.  The Engine was put in my friends Factory 427 Fairlane (65-66) but he kept blowing the Automatic Transmission up so he decided to switch things up and sold me the Drive Train.  I put the Engine in front of a Top Loader and never lost a Race.  I miss those Days.

Quick question 720 HP at the rear wheels

That's +/- 850 to 900+ HP

How did you get this cat to hook up and with 13:1 what fuel was used ?

Thank you

[tesgt350]

We had a guy in my town who used to Race Thunderbolts and he was THE FE Guy.  He built the Race Engine that I bought for my 70 R-Code Mach 1.  It had 720 HP to the Rear Wheels, mega Compression and 13-1 Forged Pop Up Pistons.  He had to plug a couple of the Oil Passages to boost the Oil Pressure.  The Engine was put in my friends Factory 427 Fairlane (65-66) but he kept blowing the Automatic Transmission up so he decided to switch things up and sold me the Drive Train.  I put the Engine in front of a Top Loader and never lost a Race.  I miss those Days.

Quick question 720 HP at the rear wheels

That's +/- 850 to 900+ HP

How did you get this cat to hook up and with 13:1 what fuel was used ?

Thank you

very sticky N50 15 Rear Tires with 3:50 Posi.  Regular Gas.  This was back in the Mid 80's.  Un-Capped that beast sounded like a Top Fuel Dragster.  I really miss that Car.  Got pulled every weekend doing 20 to 25 over and never got a Ticket. 

[FL SAAC]

I'm always apprehensive of "those days" forum tales.  More so if prior to chassis dyno popularity.

In the late '70s I was working at Ford in Detroit/Livonia. Being a young engineer I made a point of befriending many, older, manufacturing engineers.  Learning some of the GT40, FE knowledgebase was intact.  By introduction I purchased a new, unassembled side oiler for $900.  Complete, intake to oil pan.

Roush's shop was across the street on Levan Road. Holbrook was 10 min away.  For the past year had hung out at their shops after work to absorb what I could.  Roush took a shine to me offering a tolerable price to balance, blueprint and assemble the engine. Oiling mods included those done by Ford on Lemans engines, and Roush's own pump.  The engine ran flawlessly.

About 20 years latter I took advantage of CNC ported Edlebrock heads with JE pistons to suit chamber profile.  Also upgraded to Dove shafts and rocker and with a 294S cam.  Three days on a SuperFlow dyno tweaking air:fuel and timing on pump gas best we could garner was 483 HP.  In the ball park of what's written about the GT40 program.

The car is rarely driven anymore as I don't have the self control to drive reasonable on an empty interstate. Mobil 1 15W-50 is my choice.

Tina said it the best.....

[TA Coupe]

[Posi.  Regular Gas.  This was back in the Mid 80's.  Un-Capped that beast sounded like a Top Fuel Dragster.  I really miss that Car.  Got pulled every weekend doing 20 to 25 over and never got a Ticket]
How did you manage to run regular gas with 13 To one compression ratio?

VTGT500,
About 20 years latter I took advantage of CNC ported Edlebrock heads with JE pistons to suit chamber profile.  Also upgraded to Dove shafts and rocker and with a 294S cam.  Three days on a SuperFlow dyno tweaking air:fuel and timing on pump gas best we could garner was 483 HP.  In the ball park of what's written about the GT40 program.
Why do built FE engines seem to struggle to get much past 1.1 horsepower per cubic inch? 483hp seems awfully low to me for a built motor but I have read similar figures about other motors also. On the dyno, my 302 cubic inch motor with just 9.9 compression, but running 2x4 holley's made four hundred horsepower. Doesn't seem right that a 427, with 125 cubic inches more than my engine made only an extra 83 horsepower.

      Roy

[tesgt350]

[Posi.  Regular Gas.  This was back in the Mid 80's.  Un-Capped that beast sounded like a Top Fuel Dragster.  I really miss that Car.  Got pulled every weekend doing 20 to 25 over and never got a Ticket]
How did you manage to run regular gas with 13 To one compression ratio?

VTGT500,
About 20 years latter I took advantage of CNC ported Edlebrock heads with JE pistons to suit chamber profile.  Also upgraded to Dove shafts and rocker and with a 294S cam.  Three days on a SuperFlow dyno tweaking air:fuel and timing on pump gas best we could garner was 483 HP.  In the ball park of what's written about the GT40 program.
Why do built FE engines seem to struggle to get much past 1.1 horsepower per cubic inch? 483hp seems awfully low to me for a built motor but I have read similar figures about other motors also. On the dyno, my 302 cubic inch motor with just 9.9 compression, but running 2x4 holley's made four hundred horsepower. Doesn't seem right that a 427, with 125 cubic inches more than my engine made only an extra 83 horsepower.

      Roy

I ran regular Pump Gas and it was my daily Driver.  I believe we still had Leaded Gas back then and I would sometimes pour in that 104+ additive.  Other than that, I don't know what to tell you.  If it sat for a couple Hours, I would have to pump the Peddle about 15 times to wet the Cylinders to get it to turn over and crank.


 

[FL SAAC]

Common sentiment.  Perhaps the side oiler's legacy is a bit embellished?  No question the oiling, side bolts, fully floated Lemans rods, and cross drilled internally balanced steel crank all contributed to 24 hr durability at 7000 RPM.  But none of that built HP.  Fast forward.  Today, heads and roller cam profiles available from Barry and others are unlocking 500+ HP. 

Nothing says fast as "technology"

Welcome to today where you can go do your groceries and then rip off some 11s 10s 9s 8s or...

Then put your power windows up, AC on high,  get on the freeway, set your cruise control and set your satelite radio on demand to the great tunes of the 1950s  60s 70s 80s 90s (you pick)

Now that's what I call Improved Nostalgia

[FL SAAC]

[Posi.  Regular Gas.  This was back in the Mid 80's.  Un-Capped that beast sounded like a Top Fuel Dragster.  I really miss that Car.  Got pulled every weekend doing 20 to 25 over and never got a Ticket]
How did you manage to run regular gas with 13 To one compression ratio?

VTGT500,
About 20 years latter I took advantage of CNC ported Edlebrock heads with JE pistons to suit chamber profile.  Also upgraded to Dove shafts and rocker and with a 294S cam.  Three days on a SuperFlow dyno tweaking air:fuel and timing on pump gas best we could garner was 483 HP.  In the ball park of what's written about the GT40 program.
Why do built FE engines seem to struggle to get much past 1.1 horsepower per cubic inch? 483hp seems awfully low to me for a built motor but I have read similar figures about other motors also. On the dyno, my 302 cubic inch motor with just 9.9 compression, but running 2x4 holley's made four hundred horsepower. Doesn't seem right that a 427, with 125 cubic inches more than my engine made only an extra 83 horsepower.

      Roy

Roy

"those were the days my friend

We thought they would never end".....

heck those lines could be good for a song