French Flathead OIl Pump Installation

1

1950F1

Member
I have a stock 8ba in my 1950 f-1. I am considering installing a french flathead oil pump to boost oil pressure. I have had the pump for some time but have been reluctant to install it.

Currently, oil pressure (running 10-40 oil) starts about 30+35 lbs at idle but drops to about 5 lb at idle as engine heats up. Looking at my oil pressure while at a stop sign spooks me as I see my needle bearly register. Climbs to about 25 lb at 40-45 mph. I have replaced the gauge with NOS and checked it running a remote gauge with same readings.The engine has had a complete rebuild, including cam bearings, mains and rods and oil pump. It has about 1000 miles on it. While it runs great ,the low oil pressure has always concerned me. The rebuild was done by a small shop in eastern Oregon and while I have had the heads off and all looks quite well from that end and in excellent shape, I can say little about the rest of the motor other than what was on the invoice when I got it (already installed in a vehicle).

Does anyone have any experience with the french flathead oil pump? I understand they put out up to 80 lbs with the pressure relief spring that comes with it. Can I buy an alternate spring, say 50 Lb? Any info would be of Help . . . Thanks
 
THE 8BA came with a 80# pump as I recall, so if you use the french pump it will be the same as original, looks like a good first step to me. ernie n tx
 
I'm running Castrol 20-50 in mine and having about the same expierence as you. I even installed an idiot light as a safeguard but it goes on at anything less than 10 pounds of oil pressure. I have learned to ignore it when idleing as most flatheaders feel that 5 pounds at idle is not a problem.
 
remember at 5# at the sender there is plenty of volume flowing ,it isi not the pressure that protects but the film of oil, so good oil is the important issue. simplistic I know but all of us have had this pressure thing for 60to 70years flatheads just keep on running and just about sums up what I know . LOL ernie n tx ps my 1917 T never even saw any pressure and at 14 I did not care it ran!!!
 
Thanks form the thought. Should have said: I have checked that possibility by disconnecting filter and oil pressure issue was unchanged
 
Did the cam get reused? If the cam bearing journals are a bit small, there goes a lot of your oil pressure, even with new bearings. However, I would be fine with your oil pressure. If it still bothers you, I have found I get increased pressure with 15-40 diesel oil.
 
Yes the cam must have been re-used as I see no refence to it being replaced, could be the issue indeed. How about fuel pump pushrod bushing?
 
1950F1 said:
I have a stock 8ba in my 1950 f-1. I am considering installing a french flathead oil pump to boost oil pressure. I have had the pump for some time but have been reluctant to install it.

Currently, oil pressure (running 10-40 oil) starts about 30+35 lbs at idle but drops to about 5 lb at idle as engine heats up. Looking at my oil pressure while at a stop sign spooks me as I see my needle bearly register. Climbs to about 25 lb at 40-45 mph. I have replaced the gauge with NOS and checked it running a remote gauge with same readings.The engine has had a complete rebuild, including cam bearings, mains and rods and oil pump. It has about 1000 miles on it. While it runs great ,the low oil pressure has always concerned me. The rebuild was done by a small shop in eastern Oregon and while I have had the heads off and all looks quite well from that end and in excellent shape, I can say little about the rest of the motor other than what was on the invoice when I got it (already installed in a vehicle).

Does anyone have any experience with the french flathead oil pump? I understand they put out up to 80 lbs with the pressure relief spring that comes with it. Can I buy an alternate spring, say 50 Lb? Any info would be of Help . . . Thanks
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Sounds pretty much like flathead oil pressure to me. Henry never did mention idle oil pressure, just 30# at 30MPH. Sounds like a lot of make work to me. My 2¢.
 
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