Engine Oiling System
The gear type oil pump used on both six and eight cylinder engines is of two-piece construction. It is externally mounted on the right side of the engine below the camshaft and is driven from the camshaft helical gears. While it is externally mounted, it is self-priming if the gears have been dipped in oil when installed.
The oil pump supplies full pressure lubrication to all bearings, including camshaft, connecting rods, camshaft bearings, piston pins, and timing chain. Oil thrown from the crank pins lubricates the cylinder walls, camshaft cams and valve lifters, pistons and distributor drive gears.
On 1953-1954 6 cylinder models an additional oil hole in the connecting rod directs a stream of oil onto the cylinder wall. This is required since the aluminum skirt to drain dry when the engine is not running. The valve spring chamber is open to the crankcase permitting oil vapor circulation around valve stems and lifters. On 1953-1954 6 cylinder engines, valve spring chamber floor to eliminate excessive oil splash on to the valves. Oil pressure is automatically regulated by a spring loaded relief valve in the pump cover and is not adjustable. With warm oil, pressure should be 35 to 45 lbs. at driving speeds. If pressure varies, check for external leaks, worn pump, or defective oil gauge. Do not try to adjust at pressure relief valve.
The oil pump intake pipe is connected to an oil cleaner installed in the crankcase. The Pontiac oil cleaner has the following desirable features:
1. It is connected into the lubrication system so that all the oil going to the pump for delivery to various parts of the engine is first passed through the cleaner.
2. Particles that are harmful to the bearings are very efficiently removed.
3. It has no element to plug up and, therefore, maintains its efficiency for the life of the engine.
4. It is built-in so there is no possibility of external tube leakage with resultant loss of oil.
The cleaner consists of a settling chamber concentric with the oil inlet tube. When oil reaches the top of the inlet tube, its direction is changed so that it flows down the outside of the inlet tube until it strikes a flat baffle and its direction is sharply reversed. At this point, dirt particles which are heavier than oil are thrown out of the oil stream into the settling chamber where they gradually settle or precipitate until they rest on the bottom of the basin. Since oil below the flat baffle is not disturbed by the flow of oil above the baffle, the dirt does not again enter the oil stream.
The design of the cleaner provides for controlled oil flow through the unit thereby giving it cleaning efficiency. Under no circumstances should any of the cleaner parts be bent or altered as this may impair its efficiency.
The Pontiac oil cleaner should not be expected to maintain the color of the oil as it appeared when placed in the crankcase. Mere discoloration of the oil has been shown to be non-abrasive to bearings and other moving parts and in the case of oils containing detergents and dispersants show that the oil is performing part of its purpose in keeping carbonaceous matter in suspension in the oil rather than allowing it to form heavy carbon, lacquer, and sludge deposits on various engine parts.
NOTE: EXTERNAL OIL CLEANERS – External type oil filters or cleaners are not necessary or desirable on Pontiac cars and no provision has been made for their installation.
