Well the time has come to buy an oil pump for my 383 stroker motor. Just for reference I have a Milodon 30909 oil pan. I have a used M55A lying around, but I don't want to risk running a used one in this motor, especially since they don't cost much for how critical they are to engine operation.

So I called my machinist to ask his opinion on oil pumps. He recommended a high volume melling select oil pump instead of the standard M55 ones. I asked him why the select and he said the case is stronger, as are the gears and oil pump drive shaft. I asked about the HV part and he said that's what he usually uses, although he mostly does circle track motors. Seemed like a pretty good reason, but I figured I'd ask around here for opinions.

Most folks seem to use the standard M55 series with no problems, but if it's worth the extra money, I have no problem stepping up to a better pump. It's one of the most important parts of the motor. I'm going to run a HR cam going to 7000rpm, but may move to a solid roller someday. It's a street/strip car. I'll post up all the bearing clearance specs in a few days when I am done blueprinting the motor, but so far the mains seem tight.

My buddy whom I'm building the motor with basically said High Volume = Circle track, High Pressure = drag race.

So basically, is the select series from Melling worth the extra money? Is there any good reason why I shouldn't just run a standard volume higher pressure oil pump, pending bearing clearances...

-Dustin-

 

It's such a cheap and crucial part. Get the Select.

 

10554 Melling Select. SV with the pink 70# spring. Unless you have a serious reason with bearing clearanced for an HV pump, you don't need it. All it does is put extra stress and wear on the oil pump drive gear (hint: premature gear failure and no oil pressure) and take more HP to turn it.

 

I wound up going 10% overdriven on my build. I was confused at getting the right combo of pump/pickup to work with my Canton 242T pan at the time. I knew I didnt want to get 20% overdriven.

The other non select melling casting scared me away, with the note saying it was not for performance use.

I would listen to shoebox about getting anything closest to stock form with the select heavier duty casting.

A lot of guys have cracked the drive gear on top. (it seems to be a point of stress in relation to HV pumps.) I wound up making a backing plate to reinforce the area. I have my fingers crossed that things will work ok. You can really eff up your motor if you drive breaks, and gets no contact.

 

x2 with the 10554. It also included a hardened OP drive shaft.

 

Thanks guys, I figured the 10554 was the one to go with, I mentioned it to my machinist and he was it was the anti-cavitation version which wasnt necessary But I saw a few on here using it.

I have a Milodon pickup that was welded to the old M55A, but it looks like this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-24360/ is the only thing Summit has in the 8.25" pan depth 3/4" size as a replacement.

-Dustin-