Where to route dry sump pipes?

**waverunner** · 09-02-2021, 14:26

Any help/info would be extremely grateful, I'm absolutely doing my nut in!!!!

Mk1 Escort with tank in the boot, BDG with pump on the drivers side. What I can't find is a good place to come through the bulkhead, where do people come through??
I have a plate over the fuse panel as thats been moved to the scuttle panel, as per MK2, but thats above and behind the exhaust, so not wanting the heat and extra pipe run around the front to the pump.

I've been told not to use bulkhead unions, so looked at these "Seals-it" brand bulkhead fitments, not cheap but also really big, so would have to cut a big hole. Any other type people know of?

**para144** · 09-02-2021, 15:32

Have a look at the 'current builds' & 'finished builds' at Historic Rally Sport & other prep companies

Almost every car is dry sump, BDG & an Escort. Lots of photos : https://www.historicrallysport.co.uk/

I didn't use bulkhead fitting, grommets or Seals-it on mine. I ran the braided hose through short lengths of steel tube welded into the bulkhead. Not sure I'd do that again because the fittings have to come off the ends of the hose to get it out again.

**waverunner** · 09-02-2021, 15:43

I've looked but you can't see the bulkhead, you see the engine etc but no detail on position. I've seen the "tube" idea but like you say, not ideal but also prone to fumes, fluid etc.

I have a local rally prep shop close but not sure if he's up to visits with all this rona going on.....I popped into MST and its only click and collect, won't let me in

**waverunner** · 09-02-2021, 15:48

Just checked, cheers Para144, some good pics on that site.

**para144** · 09-02-2021, 15:57

Originally Posted by waverunner

Just checked, cheers Para144, some good pics on that site.

Yeah, hundreds of photos on there. He does use bulkhead fittings, what is the reason you don't want to use them?

**waverunner** · 09-02-2021, 16:59

Originally Posted by para144

Yeah, hundreds of photos on there. He does use bulkhead fittings, what is the reason you don't want to use them?

Yes, I noticed that. I've just sent an email to my engine builder, asking if I can, he was quiet adamant in not using them.

**katana** · 09-02-2021, 17:30

Originally Posted by waverunner

Yes, I noticed that. I've just sent an email to my engine builder, asking if I can, he was quiet adamant in not using them.

He's an engine builder so what say has he in body / chassis / plumbing LOL! Seriously though, i'd have thought having a hose break on the bulkhead has advantages just in engine removal, if nothing else?

**para144** · 09-02-2021, 17:30

Originally Posted by waverunner

Yes, I noticed that. I've just sent an email to my engine builder, asking if I can, he was quiet adamant in not using them.

He might be right, you do see plenty of rally cars done this way though.

I mentioned putting the hoses through steel tube, this isn't mine but you get the idea:

**waverunner** · 09-02-2021, 18:20

At least I've got the location now, thats where I was drawn to and had my fuel lines. I'm back on carbs now so don't need a return so I can relocate the one fuel line.

**Forest_rallying** · 09-02-2021, 19:53

When I built a NA Cosworth with a dry sump system 30 years ago I used brass gland fittings like electricians use for feeding electric cables through panels.

I can see where your engine builder's coming from regarding the unions on your dry sump pipe, where there's a union there's a restriction in the flow of oil, especially the feed pipe from the oil tank which relies a lot on gravity. If you have any oil pressure problems the first thing your engine specialist will say is, I told you so.

**katana** · 09-02-2021, 21:49

In that case, why even bother going into the occupied part of the car? Run completely external / below the floor, next to a chassis rail - single piece of hose, no joints? Just a thought?

**Forest_rallying** · 09-02-2021, 21:55

Originally Posted by katana

In that case, why even bother going into the occupied part of the car? Run completely external / below the floor, next to a chassis rail - single piece of hose, no joints? Just a thought?

I wouldn't think they'd last long on a rough gravel stage with rocks pounding them but for a Road Car maybe they would survive. I can never understand the sense of some Race Cars having oil coolers bolted under the floor exposing themselves to damage.

**waverunner** · 10-02-2021, 09:07

Originally Posted by katana

In that case, why even bother going into the occupied part of the car? Run completely external / below the floor, next to a chassis rail - single piece of hose, no joints? Just a thought?

It's a thought but never seen it and even though its track/hillsprint based, there's always a chance of damage from something.

**GavinR** · 11-02-2021, 00:07

I have always run a single pipe from the tank to the engine without any joins, and the same for the scavenge pipe, just large grommets where the pipes go through the bulkheads
The holes in the bulkheads are large enough to allow the unions to go through, and plenty of fireproof sealant too