We hope this article has provided you with a little more insight into the Power Plus 100 oiling system, along with the reasons for, and the benefits achieved with, the changes we have made.  We look forward to assisting you with updating and improving your engine. Frank Aliano, President Blackhawk Motor Works, Inc.
All of that circulated air goes into the oil tank where it creates aeration by mixing with the oil.  The aerated oil is then pumped through the engine; leading to loss of pressure, lifter pump-down (top end noise), poor lubrication, and high engine temperatures. Our updated oil pump eliminates the external by-pass line by sending oil directly into the engine gear case.   The return (scavenge) pump can now pump significantly more oil, especially into the bottom end of the engine, resulting in:

​
Greatly improved engine lubrication
Virtual elimination of aeration
Lowering engine operating temperatures 
No noticeable increase in oil pressure


REMEMBER

This is well designed, extensively tested oil pump that will deliver noticeable improvements.
Your engine is pumping volume, not pressure.
Pay attention to the oil light – if it is not on, don’t worry.
The PP100 is not a small block Chevy so don’t look for 45 + psi.
5 psi (or less) at idle is within the realm of normal.
15 – 25 psi at normal operating temperatures while going down the road is within the realm of normal.
Never pull the plug out and re-install the bypass hose.  
 Never stretch the pump regulator spring or stick shims underneath it to try and achieve higher oil pressure.  This creates a longer period of time before oil starts flowing to the bottom end, potentially leading to pre-mature engine failure.  
  


·         A theoretical example:
​ Let’s say that the feed pump can move 10 gallons of oil per minute and the return pump can move 12. Let’s also say that the engine can only use 7 gallons of oil per minute, therefore forcing 3 gallons to be by-passed. Although capable of moving 12 gallons of oil per minute, the scavenge pump is returning only 7 back to the oil tank…so what is the return pump moving when there is no oil to return? The answer is ‘air’. 


The Power Plus 100engine’s lubrication is based on a high volume / low to moderate pressure system - and the oil pump is designed to do just that.  In fact, the reason it has a bypass system (to return unused oil to the tank) is because the unit can actually pump more oil than the engine can use.  The manner it returns oil is the subject in question and part of the reason for our oil pump update modification. Let’s look at the PP100 oil pump, its design, and functions… The first thing to understand is that PP100 lubrication system is not the same as the one in your car.  Most automotive lubrication systems are fairly simple; using a single pump to supply oil to a common oil galley and through branches of individual passages. These passages supply oil to all components of the engine. A pressure regulator in the pump opens at a specific pressure and dumps unused oil back to the oil pan.  The used oil is returned to the pan via a drip method to the oil pan where it can be re-circulated.  The Power Plus oiling system is a bit more complicated.  When the engine is fired, all oil from the pump goes through a first passage – feeding oil to the top end only (lifters, rockers, and top end components).  When sufficient pressure is built up, the pump regulator piston moves against a spring and opens a second passage to feed oil to the bottom end (rods, bottom end bearings).  Used top end oil is returned to the crankcase by means of a return passage through the cylinders.  The flywheels sling oil from the crankcase up under the pistons to lubricate and cool the pistons and cylinders.  As pressure builds again, a third passage opens the bypass port to allow unused oil to return to the oil tank 
(for re-circulation).  Used oil is returned to the oil tank by means of the return (scavenger) oil pump where it is ready to be re-circulated. This brings us to the updated modifications of the oil pump – the reasons why, and a few do’s and don’ts to remember.  The original design of the PP100 oil pump returns bypassed oil to the oil tank by means of an external line (this is the 90 degree chrome fitting and attached rubber hose) located on the face of the oil pump.  The return (scavenge) oil pump is capable of pumping more than the feed pump. 
~~• Pressure is the measure of resistance to flow; the more the resistance to flow, the higher the pressure. • Volume is a measure of flow capacity, in gallons of flow per minute, that a system can move a liquid. For example: Install a pressure gauge on the spigot of your household garden hose faucet and attach a twenty-five foot hose, ½” id. Turn the faucet on full and read the pressure gauge. Now replace the hose with a twenty-five foot hose, 1” id, and read the pressure gauge. You will see a marked drop in pressure with the one inch hose. Now stick the hose in a large bucket and run the water again for one minute, and measure the water level. Do the same with the ½” hose, and notice how much lower the water level is from the smaller, ½” hose. MORE RESISTANCE = MORE PRESSURE = LESS VOLUME. It’s that simple.



                                                                   ~~POWER PLUS 100 – FUNCTION AND MODIFICATIONS

“How much more oil pressure will I get after I put the new, updated oil pump on my Power Plus engine?” That is one of the big questions Posie of P&M Powertrain and I are asked on a regular basis. The simple answer is “none – by design”. The changes we’ve made in the oil pump are designed to improve the lubrication efficiency of the oil pump and coiling system; not to get more oil pressure. To begin, let’s clarify the definitions of ‘pressure’ versus ‘flow’. ~~POWER PLUS 100 – FUNCTION AND MODIFICATIONS “How much more oil pressure will I get after I put the new, updated oil pump on my Power Plus engine?” That is one of the big questions Posie of P&M Powertrain and I are asked on a regular basis. The simple answer is “none – by design”. The changes we’ve made in the oil pump are designed to improve the lubrication efficiency of the oil pump and coiling system; not to get more oil pressure. To begin, let’s clarify the definitions of ‘pressure’ versus ‘flow’.

~~• Engine is torn down, inspected to determine the nature of failure, evaluated for necessary parts and processes required for rebuilding. All parts are then washed and cleaned for rebuild process.

• Any necessary repairs are made to the crankcase prior to assembly.

• During the rebuild process the complete flywheel/connecting rod assembly is replaced with an improved trued and balanced unit made to our specifications by a nationally leading supplier of quality engine parts. • The oil pump is modified for improved lubrication and cooling.

• The crankcase breather is relocated to improve crankcase ventilation and internal crankcase pressures.

• Cylinders are bored to the first necessary oversize and piston-to-cylinder clearances are set to the proper specification.

• Cylinder heads are completely rebuilt and tested. • Rocker arm end play is reset to proper specification.

• All polished components are re-polished during the rebuild process.

• The engine is hot-tested in a test stand fixture for three runs and inspected for leaks, adjustments, and proper engine timing and running

BLACKHAWK  MOTOR WORKS, INC. POWER PLUS 100 ENGINE REBUILD INFORMATION SHEET 


The following are the typical steps, process and parts changes incorporated into each Power Plus 100 engine rebuild performed at Blackhawk Motor Works, Inc. Additional parts or procedures may be required on an individual rebuild basis: