Peterson Fluid Systems Offers Tech Tips On Their Facebook Page

As one of the aftermarket’s leading providers of wet and dry sump oiling systems, the gang at Peterson Fluid Systems has experienced just about everything under the sun when it comes to dialing these components in properly. As such, they’re always willing to help their customers (and anyone smart enough to like their Facebook page) out with helpful technical tips from time to time. Advice from the experts is always a good start, especially if you’ve encountered an issue with your hot rod.

For those of you using a toothed belt to drive your external wet or dry-sump oil pump (or fuel pump), they offer up the tip that it does not need to be exceedingly tight, like a V-belt or serpentine-style drive belt. Instead of using friction, the HTD or Gilmer-style belts use the teeth to do the job of turning the pulley.

They recommend that you should be able to turn the belt 90 degrees and see the teeth on the belt, and not to be worried if it looks like the belt is flapping around while the engine is running. Additionally, if these belts are tightened too much, they can walk off the pulley.

Also, they don’t recommend welding a fitting to the side of your oil pan, or to use the drain plug for a feed to the external pump designs. Instead, they suggest that a proper pickup is needed. The reasoning behind this is that a fitting welded to the side of the pan can become uncovered, sucking air and starving the pump and subsequently the engine of the oil it needs to survive.

Using the drain plug is not recommended either, since it can become uncovered during the course of a race, or create a vortex effect that will affect proper scavenging of the oil in the pan.

For more information on the extensive line of oiling and fuel system products offered by Peterson Fluid Systems, check out their website.