Peter Z. writes:
While perusing a recent writeup of the Ferrari 550, I noticed that the engine
is described as having a "dry sump". Can anyone shed a light on what this
means?
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Peter,
Dry sump refers to a type of engine oiling system that replaces the
conventional 'wet' or filled and slung under the engine oil pan and pump
arrangement with a smaller windage scavenger type oil pan. The internal oil
pump is replaced by either an electric or belt driven pump that is feed by
an external oil tank. This pump feeds all the oil to the engine through a
series of braided hoses connected to the various oil feed holes, and
collects the old oil by scavenging or sucking the oil out of the small
crankshaft cover scavenger type oil pan. Some (if not all) of the
advantages are less windage (horsepower loss due to the crankshaft flinging
through the oil at high speed) lower engine installation because of the
reduced overall height due to lack of engine sump. Bigger oil capacity from
the external oil tank, reduced foaming and cooler oil for same reason. More
consistent oil pressure and no worries from oil starvation during hard
cornering. Disadvantages are mainly high cost. Did I miss anything?
Barry Schwartz
Bschwartz@encad.com (San Diego, CA)
72-V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
70 Spitfire (body repair almost done)
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