Changing pan gasket... Plug oil bypass?

[NGAneer]

Hey guys, read a few threads around my question but didn't find a direct answer.

I have AFM disabled via BB tune. Will probably delete the hard parts in time.

I need to drop the pan to change the gasket and the pump o-ring. Should I plug the oil pressure bypass while I'm at it? Again, AFM turned off but the cam/lifters/VLOM/etc are still there.

Moreso, with the AFM turned off, would there be any benefit to swapping to a non-AFM oil pump while I'm at it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[wsteele]

If it were me, I would just install the AFM pressure relief valve deflector and leave the valve installed, at least until you replace the cam and lifters (physical delete).

 

[Geotrash]

Hey guys, read a few threads around my question but didn't find a direct answer.

I have AFM disabled via BB tune. Will probably delete the hard parts in time.

I need to drop the pan to change the gasket and the pump o-ring. Should I plug the oil pressure bypass while I'm at it? Again, AFM turned off but the cam/lifters/VLOM/etc are still there.

Moreso, with the AFM turned off, would there be any benefit to swapping to a non-AFM oil pump while I'm at it?

Thanks in advance.

Bill's advice is sound - especially if you still have the AFM hardware in the engine. But I would replace the valve with a new one and add the deflector.

That said, if you are 100% certain that you will mechanically delete the AFM or that it won't get accidentally activated again by you or a subsequent owner, I would plug it. There are 2 problems with the valve in the pan: 1/ those without a deflector installed at the factory (which includes yours), cause problems with the oil spray on the pistons jamming up the rings over time, and 2/ The valve itself can fail in the stuck-open position, thus relieving your engine of nearly all oil pressure. While the risk of the latter is small, it's not zero as some have apparently had it happen. When I did mine, I replaced the valve with a new one but if I were in there again would simply plug it since I no longer have AFM hardware.

In my opinion, there is no benefit to adding a non-AFM (low volume) oil pump, but there is value in replacing the oil pump as a preventative measure while you're in there. I really like the Melling pumps. I did a cam swap on mine this year, deleting AFM and VVT in the process and used a new Melling high volume pump when I put it back together. I get 60 psi when cold (which is the opening pressure of the relief valve in the oil pan, and 40-50 when warm while driving. Call Summit and they can spec the right one for you.

 

[Foggy]

Hey Geotrash , do you remember the part # of the melling you used?
on summit I come up with melling : 10296 and M295HV and M365HV for the
high volume choices

 

[Geotrash]

Hey Geotrash , do you remember the part # of the melling you used?
on summit I come up with melling : 10296 and M295HV and M365HV for the
high volume choices

Sure do. It was the Melling M365HV. Note that it comes with three pressure springs - one pre-installed and the other 2 in a packet. I left the default pre-installed spring in place.

 

[NGAneer]

If it were me, I would just install the AFM pressure relief valve deflector and leave the valve installed, at least until you replace the cam and lifters (physical delete).

Bill's advice is sound - especially if you still have the AFM hardware in the engine. But I would replace the valve with a new one and add the deflector.

That said, if you are 100% certain that you will mechanically delete the AFM or that it won't get accidentally activated again by you or a subsequent owner, I would plug it. There are 2 problems with the valve in the pan: 1/ those without a deflector installed at the factory (which includes yours), cause problems with the oil spray on the pistons jamming up the rings over time, and 2/ The valve itself can fail in the stuck-open position, thus relieving your engine of nearly all oil pressure. While the risk of the latter is small, it's not zero as some have apparently had it happen. When I did mine, I replaced the valve with a new one but if I were in there again would simply plug it since I no longer have AFM hardware.

In my opinion, there is no benefit to adding a non-AFM (low volume) oil pump, but there is value in replacing the oil pump as a preventative measure while you're in there. I really like the Melling pumps. I did a cam swap on mine this year, deleting AFM and VVT in the process and used a new Melling high volume pump when I put it back together. I get 60 psi when cold (which is the opening pressure of the relief valve in the oil pan, and 40-50 when warm while driving. Call Summit and they can spec the right one for you.

Appreciate the info guys. I'll replace the valve with a new one, add the shield and probably go back with the recommended replacement Melling pump.

 

[iamdub]

Appreciate the info guys. I'll replace the valve with a new one, add the shield and probably go back with the recommended replacement Melling pump.

Haven't seen you around in ages. Welcome back.

I agree with this. I plugged mine when I deleted AFM. For safety's sake, I wouldn't plug it unless the system was 100% incapable of being activated. The stock oil pump is a high volume design to support AFM. I wouldn't downgrade it. No reason to replace it with a higher pressure unit, either. I'd install a HV pump on a worn engine to raise the oil pressure more as a Band-Aid, but not on an engine that currently has good pressure. It's just extra load on the engine and stress on the seals.