Jeez Lorne, I am not but an old self taught amateur who`s thinking is well past it`s sell-by date,The main thing for folk here is to concentrate on is trying to help Jeremy get his +8 back up and running..?
Pshaw! I know you too well, both on and off eMog. You are the very best mechanical generalist, amateur or professional, I have ever met. For that matter, modern auto-mechanics are not designed or made for any intervention or tweaking to one's own. That era ended.
Getting Jeremy's car back on the road is fun. Jeremy? I am curious. Is your car, EFI or carb? Not germane to this discussion. Have you its VIN and block number?
Lastly if the engine was last shut down with normal oil pressure evident, then the relief valve would logically be in the closed position...?
That is not always how this LR/Rover defect expresses itself. 50-50
This is where an amateur specialist-in-one-motor like me excels....details BTW, dear guru, if you were right, would not the symptoms sky high oil pressure rather than none/very little? In fact, all the Morgans using this pump (1967-2000 in the UK) have the little hard cylindrical valve or variant (my "thimble thingie)". When these are coupled to long storage periods, they collect debris in the oil system and adjacent oil filter. That scores the soft alloy of the pump body, causing the standard plunger to jam whimsically open or closed. I draw on my experience and reading of my Plus 8s and many others. The racing 8ers on Brakehorsepower ran into this issue and dealt with it (with a little help) 15 years ago. I cite the AI consensus below.
Sadly. two things have changed in the last two decade, (after all, like most trad engines, these engines are defunct)
1. These oil pumps are not easily found any more. The places I checked have them as "no longer available", either the oil pump, or the tadpole..with hope for J.E. Developments as I posted. If there is no response, I will try. And these pumps can be repaired, contrary to popular belief) can easily be repaired. I also have 3-4 repaired spare pumps. but I will not see them until September. Jeremy, if you want a spare by then, I will send one to you as a birthday present.
2. The tadpoles are no longer sold by everyone and the other ones are not to be trusted.
Frankly, anyone with a lathe and a dab of skill can make a tadpole valve. Their joy is in their simplicity and reliability. MUCH wiser than other aftermarket or LR cures which don't make sense at a glance.
Lorne
"
Consequences of a Failing Valve
If the relief valve sticks, it can lead to severe engine issues:
Stuck Open: Causes low oil pressure, leading to poor lubrication and potential engine seizure.
Stuck Closed: Causes excessive oil pressure, which can blow out oil filter gaskets or damage internal seals and oil galley plugs." P.S. I just noticed Rimmers sells the tool for the other method I alluded to! Let's leave that one alone.
P.P.S. One can sleeve the pressure relief valve. I never have and have had no problems with my tadpoles in 400,000+ kms. Yes. I know how Luddite's mind works!!!
