Oil deflectors in a Burtz

[Gold Digger]

Wondering if oil deflectors are needed in a Burtz engine if the original oil return pipe is used? As for as I can tell my engine seams to operate OK with the drain pipe still in use, but I can't see inside the valve chamber when I'm traveling at 55 mph. I don't think the engine uses any oil. I still have a slight leak around the front crank pulley.

[Synchro909]

I don't think the presence or absence of the return pipe will affect oil burning. There are 4 holes in the bottom of the oil chamber and I think any one of them will return more oil than the tube. Not all of those engines burns oil and I don't know why. My Brother in Law and I built one of these engines each side by side and tot he same specs. Mine burned oil, his did not but we have both fitted deflectors. There has not been much change to his engine but oil consumption in mine is burning MUCH less than it did.
I'm sure Terry will have a more informed opinion than mine and I'd like to hear his take on fitting them to an engine that is not burning too much oil. I don't think it would cause a problem, after all, there is virtually no oil mist to lubricate the valves in a Model A engine. The Burtz engine would still have plenty of mist.

[Bruce of MN]

"there is virtually no oil mist to lubricate the valves in a Model A engine. The Burtz engine would still have plenty of mist"

Those statements seem to conflict, did I misread them? I would think that the chamber has plenty of mist for the valves.

[nkaminar]

Oil burning is from sucking oil up through the intake valve stem/guide. You will notice it more if you are using the engine to help slow down the car on a long down grade, where there is more vacuum in the cylinders. Modern engines use a seal on the intake valve guides that is designed to leak just the right amount of oil to lubricate the valve stem but not enough to cause oil burning. I am wondering if those modern seals could be used on a Model A. The amount of oil burning will depend a lot on the clearance between the stems and the guides and other factors.

The Burtz engine puts a lot of mist into the valve chamber. The return pipe is designed to drain oil, not mist, so I don't think it will help.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

"there is virtually no oil mist to lubricate the valves in a Model A engine. The Burtz engine would still have plenty of mist"

Those statements seem to conflict, did I misread them? I would think that the chamber has plenty of mist for the valves.

The only possible source of oil mist in a Model A valve chamber is from the timing gears through the hole in the block just in front of #1 cylinder. Oil flooding the chamber floor from the pump is not going to provide any mist. Given that and the fact that many "squillions" of miles have been done in Model As, it is clear that not much oil mist is needed.
A Burtz engine with those baffles fitted will have more oil mist than a standard Model A engine. Without the baffles, some of them have too much oil around the valve stems.
Hope that clarifies things.

[Bruce of MN]

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Originally Posted by Synchro909

The only possible source of oil mist in a Model A valve chamber is from the timing gears through the hole in the block just in front of #1 cylinder. Oil flooding the chamber floor from the pump is not going to provide any mist. Given that and the fact that many "squillions" of miles have been done in Model As, it is clear that not much oil mist is needed.
A Burtz engine with those baffles fitted will have more oil mist than a standard Model A engine. Without the baffles, some of them have too much oil around the valve stems.
Hope that clarifies things.

Thanks!