thanks for all the replies - advice well taken.

Ted - the links were a great hit and real education - appreciate it.

Went ahead and ordered one today at Napa.

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Daniel, I use gear pumps in all my y's. When I say a little less at idle were talking a very few lbs at best, certainly not enough to hurt anything. When my gyro pump went out, it did it very quickly without much warning, NOT a good feeling. My ole engine guru who has built lots of nascar engines likes the consistency of the gear pumps because they seem to give less problems and a little more warning when going bad.

-Gary Burnette-

Here are some links on the 'old' forum that can also give some more input on your question.

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1260

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1727

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1085

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=808

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Daniel:

My opinion, FWIW, is that Ford went to the rotor pump because it was cheaper to build and supplied enough oil.  I use gear pumps, always have.  I have seen rotor pumps with scratches and wear in the housing where the ring gear runs, which allows the two parts to move away from each other and lose oil pressure.  I have also seen gear pumps with wear on the gear teeth, same result.  Keep in mind that a Y is not hard to oil, it only receives full pressure to the mains, rods, and cam bearings, and bleed-off pressure to the rockers.  No hydraulic lifters.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Daniel: I don't have a preference personally, but some like Jerry Christiansen don't like the gear pumps. I believe all the gear type are cast iron & the Rotor type, aluminum. The difference in idle pressure is probably not an issue. However, if you use a gear type make sure it has smooth action when turned as there have been reports of the odd noisy one. My high mileage 1955, years ago had a gear pump with no pressure problems & my Buddy's 56 Gasser, years ago also, & it performed flawlessly for 3 race seasons.   

   

Paul

So, if my motor is going to be at idle in traffic, being driven on the street quite a bit, etc. I should opt for the rotor type?

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

The gear type has less chance of going bad, It takes a little less power to turn. The down sideside of the gear type is it has a little less pressure at idle. When the Gyro type gets a little wear it tends to lose more oil pressure overall but when it's in good shape it's hard to beat. Take your pick,there's not much difference between them.

-Gary Burnette-

I am in the middle of a mild performance build, using a ground down 312 crank in one of my 292 blocks. The motor will end up with 312 .040 pistons, shaved C heads, and a mild cam. all hooked to a stock fordo.

Which type of oil pump should I use and what, if any, are the differences? Is it just a matter of personal preference, or will one outlast the other. I always thought that the rotor type was preferred, but when I looked at Schumman's catalog the other day, I noticed a little hype line about having the gear type oil pump for sale.

What gives?

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com