Roller Bearings for Opel Engines?

[opelbits]

Ron-

I stand corrected, but they are cool motors and neat little cars. It's a shame you couldn't get the coupe.

[wrench459]

So many different racing styles involved here.
One is taking a 3 mile run one way then has to turn around and back it up.
Another is into short track
Still another likes fooling around with 1/8 mile times.
Then the road racers chime in..even with all of these people comes another group..the street guys
The list goes on and on in case I forgot one or two.
I'm sure its apples and oranges.. BUT where learning from one another and that's Cool!!!!

[namba209]

Originally Posted by opelbits Ron- I stand corrected, but they are cool motors and neat little cars. It's a shame you couldn't get the coupe.

I was lucky enuff to visit the Honda factory during my USAF years and saw how they put a quartz window in a 750 cc head to check flame propagation, with a high speed camera. An interesting note about the 750 cc 4 was from inception to production took just one year. I did get to ride one of the prototypes and it was a screamer, even back then. The S800 coupe was, I think the inspiration for the 240Z. A very sleek looking car back then, kinda sorta like the E-Jaguar, only smaller.

[wrench459]

Originally Posted by Gumby I think an upgraded oil filtration system would also be interesting since that is one of the major causes of wear on our plain bearings... abrasive particles in the oil.

Or the lack of the thin film on startup.
Thats where the majority of the wear happens. IMOA

[jeff denton]

Originally Posted by wrench459 Or the lack of the thin film on startup. Thats where the majority of the wear happens. IMOA

Somehow I've thought the same thing for years. That's why I invested in the Accusump system last year. I have oil pressure before the engine begins to crank. It's so simple I don't know why it isn't standard equipment.

As for the oil filtration system, we've discussed this before, too. Big diesel engines wouldn't be caught dead without it. For the last thirty years that I know of. I totally agree that a second level of bypass oil filtering could help a gas engine's longevity. This too is so simple, yet I've never seen it done on a car. However we do have it on my S-10 transmission, the builder of the 700 (Bowtie Performance) sent it with, and insisted it be installed.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by wrench459 Or the lack of the thin film on startup. Thats where the majority of the wear happens. IMOA

That is simple to do. Just use an external pump that brings oil pressure up to 100% before you crank over the engine.

A lot of that wear at start up has to do with the nasty by products of the combustion process mixing with the oil and forming corrosive compounds. I seem to remember reading a study done on this subject that stated only 10% of startup wear was caused by the bearings moving without oil pressure. Just think that before the late 19th century all engines used plain bearings... no hydrostatic bearings.

[tomking]

Originally Posted by jeff denton Somehow I've thought the same thing for years. That's why I invested in the Accusump system last year. I have oil pressure before the engine begins to crank. It's so simple I don't know why it isn't standard equipment. As for the oil filtration system, we've discussed this before, too. Big diesel engines wouldn't be caught dead without it. For the last thirty years that I know of. I totally agree that a second level of bypass oil filtering could help a gas engine's longevity. This too is so simple, yet I've never seen it done on a car. However we do have it on my S-10 transmission, the builder of the 700 (Bowtie Performance) sent it with, and insisted it be installed.

I just sold my 89 jeep cherokee as I have too many vechicles and now have an F150 4x4 for my hunting vechicle. But it had the Renix ignition system in it. It would crank a lot before it ever started. I learned from a mechanic that it proved sufficient oil pressure before it allowed the engine to start, thereby reducing that wear before sufficient oiling was present. After that I didnt mind the long cranking time.

[Tru-Craft]

What are the Nascar boys using before the race?
An oil heater?
Outside oil pump?
Jeff, what drives the oil pump on your race car?

Wrench459, I agree this site does have a wide range of knowledge and clever people.
Have learned alot.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Tru-Craft What are the Nascar boys using before the race? An oil heater? Outside oil pump? Jeff, what drives the oil pump on your race car? Wrench459, I agree this site does have a wide range of knowledge and clever people. Have learned alot.

For most top-level racecars, they all use dry-sumps. Starting procedure (if the engine has sat around not running for some time or it's moderately cold outside) is typically to plug in the dry sump tank heater (basically a hot water heater element). After 30-40 minutes, the oil temp is 60 degrees above ambient. Then they disconnect the dry sump belt, and spin the dry sump pump with a cordless impact gun to prime the system. Then refit the belt, and fire the engine. At this point the oil is basically up to temp and nothing in the engine got spun over 'dry', therefore wear is at a minimum.

Bob

[jeff denton]

Smokey's research on all this many years ago gave us this: preheat your oil. If nothing else, always have your oil up to temp before starting your engine.
Using that advice, I have always put a big red heatlamp under my oilpan for hours before firing her up. Before leaving the shop, the engine is always brought up to temp, then the car is loaded on the trailer, and we haul a$$ to the track. It doesn't fully cool down till midnight.
I would love to play in the dry sump field. I have a few parts collected but not enough to start, besides I don't race in a class where it's legal. Yet.
My Opel runs stock oil pump, Lyle. Legal. It takes suction through a hose from the front cover to the stock pickup welded into the right side of the pan kickout. Not legal. But it's just for fun.
The Accusump wasn't noticed when the car was inspected last year. It is all contained within the cockpit. It tees into the oil pressure gage. I put a 1/8" ball valve on the accumulator, so it is activated and captured manually. I think we could argue it is legal. Just for fun.
Edit: just remembered, was gonna tell you about an idea that came to me last year when I was overhauling all our big coffee pots. They have a little element on them that is what keeps the coffee hot. Not the big one that brews the coffee, just a tiny one. It could very easily be attached to an oilpan. It would satisfy Smokey. I think it would be legal, too, since we don't actually use it while racing. Geez, like I have an extension cord that long. What a big mess that would be...
Yes, Gumby, a tiny pump rigged up would be real simple. That's why I saved some "junk" electrohydraulic units from boat tilt/trim systems. We'll get to that someday, maybe. But that is exactly how it is done on the really really huge diesel engines, such as the Fairbanks Morse engines on a big grey boat I had in Scotland once.
Tom, that "Renix" you describe would drive me nuts. I like an engine to fire within the first revolution of cranking. Like my S10 does. The new HD2500 is close.