ISSUE: Massey 35 4 cylinder/ FE35 4 cylinder 23C Engine Low

ISSUE: Massey 35 4 cylinder/ FE35 4 cylinder 23C Engine Low oil pressure problem.
Hello there, basically the problem is 15-20psi when moving or been run for a while, eg got warm, I have asked many people about this and no one has really come to a conclusion, just wondered if anyone else had a similar problem or better knowledge.
Firstly I changed conrod bearings as the pressure was low, also checked all clearances on oil pump- all okay. The crank has previously been reground and when the conrod bearing were removed they had little wear on them, proving it has rebuilt fairly recently, the head has also been removed and the liners have no lip at all.
I’ve also had an oil change to 15w40 and when I did this I had 120psi when started up- when the pressure release valve was screwed all the way in then I adjusted it down to 60 at full revs (what it should be). Though I started it the other day and the pressure never really got over 40 (the same situation as I had before I even touched the engine), then when it was moved (got warm) it dropped to 15-20psi, then fiddled with the pressure release valve and this didn’t really change it. The recommended is 40-60 psi dependant on the revs. The pressure has been measured with a mechanics pressure gauge which is very accurate and tested so that is not at fault. I don’t wish to replace the main bearings as this means dismantling the whole engine down to the block and removing the crank, and considering the conrod bearing had little wear and the crank has been reground this suggests the main bearing shouldn’t be the issue, even though these don’t usually wear as much as the conrod bearings.

Just wondered if anyone had any ideas or suggestions on how to solve this problem!
Many thanks
Rob

I am not a MF expert but I would say you have bad cam bearings. People rebuilt engines and do not replace the cam bearings. The cam bearings get worn and allow too much oil to pass through them. Acts just like an internal oil leak.

Agree!

Hi
was sitting here reading your problem and thinking mains or cam bearings . then read the other replies and guess what someone else said cam. the other thing could be the mains where good when it was re built and now they aren't .

Also too higher pressure can be bad for an engines bearings. The crank is supposed to float in the middle of a film of oil. Too higher pressure pushes it to the top and can wear the bearings like low pressure does. wouldn't think a short run would do it though unless it just finished them off depending how worn they where at the start.
Regards Robert

Does a standard engine use cam bearings? Also I would rig up a "bearing leak detector" and see where it leaks.

They don't reproduce cam shaft bearings for these John. Where I brought mine to be tanked tried to take them out, I didn't want to bother them, he did, he didn't notice the setscrews holding them in place... it took me a week to turn a copper water pipe down to +/-.002..... one of the many irritations this engine causes.
And now Cat is getting wierd about making Perkins parts? What's next?
As soon as the pubs close and Sam crawls back home, he will know if there are replacement bearings on that side of the pond...

Hi there, she was only running at high pressure for a matter of seconds, then I adjusted her down so as you say I don't think that would have done much damage, the mains would have been replaced when the crank was removed so hopefully its not them, thank you anyway

Does anyone know where I could get cam bearings for this engine?

Thank you everyone for your help
Rob

Do you know where I could get some for this engine?

Many thanks
Rob

It is possible that the mains were not properly fitted. I would plastigage two of them, it is quick and easy enough to do.

You could find that the mains where good when it was re built and they are worn now. would not be the first time I have seen a motor with either rod or main standard and the others ground one or 2 sizes. unless you did it your self you don't know what somebody else did to it really.
There are some cheap skate clowns out there in the world. I know all about them, I fix enough of the messes they left that was not done right in the past in my shop L.O.L
Regards Robert