There's something comforting about seeing oil pressure on the gauge, even before the engine starts. A pre-lube system is a simple addition that provides peace of mind.
It has long been said that a substantial portion of engine wear occurs at start-up due to a lack of initial lubrication. Much of the oil simply drains out of critical areas, and it's not replaced until the engine spins and the oil pump can build up pressure to replace what was lost. If you've ever noticed how long it takes for the oil pressure warning light to go out, or the gauge to show signs of life, that's how long those parts went without being bathed in fresh lubricant. And, if the oil drains off of the parts in an engine that is fired up and used every day, imagine what's happening inside a street rod's engine that may not be used as often.
The truth is there are other things that create lubrication problems when an engine first starts-oil viscosity is one. While some say heavier oil doesn't drain away as readily, it also takes longer to initially pump through the engine-thinner oil will often build pressure faster than thicker oil. Another factor is the acids that are byproducts of combustion that condense and accumulate inside the engine; they can corrode and etch away even the hardest surfaces. Of course, there are solutions for most problems, and there are a number of things that can be done to help protect an engine at start-up. Using quality oil and changing it regularly has obvious benefits. And, while most new-car owners' manuals advise against long warm-up periods, letting an engine idle for 15 or 20 seconds before putting it under a load will help ensure that everything is washed down with oil and lubricated. But, one of the best ways to protect an engine at start-up is to use a pre-lube system that builds up oil pressure before the starter begins to spin.
We installed an AMS-Oiler (Model AMK-02) on our Flathead-powered Model A. The compact AMSOIL unit is 4 inches wide and 8 inches long, and it can be located as much as to 6 feet away from the engine using the provided 1/4-inch, 500-psi hose; we chose to mount ours on the firewall.
Pre-lube systems have been around for quite a while and range from simple to elaborate. Some use an electric motor and an auxiliary pump; others are accumulators that capture oil under pressure and then release it before the engine starts or, in some racing applications, if the oil pressure drops below a preset point. Prices range from as little as $200 to as much as $500.
Recently, AMSOIL introduced a pair of pre-lubers called AMS-Oilers. The Model AMK-01 is designed to be mounted directly to AMSOIL Dual Remote Filtration System models-BMK13, BMK15, BMK16, and BMK17-as well as the AMSOIL Marine Dual Remote Filtration System, BMK18. The AMK-01 kit includes all the necessary fittings and hardware for installation while utilizing the existing hoses of the dual-remote filtration system.
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AMSOIL's kit came with everything necessary for installation- fittings, hose, and fasteners-plus clear, concise instructions. It can be installed and operated at any angle.
The AMK-02 is a standalone unit that can be adapted to virtually any engine, and we chose to install it on our Flathead Ford. The AMS-Oiler is charged under pressure directly from the oil pump output during normal engine operation; when the ignition is shut off, a valve on the reservoir closes and holds the oil under pressure. The next time the ignition switch is turned to the on position, the valve opens and the engine's oil system is primed. In the case of our Flathead, the oil pressure gauge reads 25 psi in about two seconds, which is about the time it takes to flip on the ignition switch and hit the starter button. Included in the kit is an audible 95dB signal that sounds for two seconds as the 12-volt DC valve opens and the engine's oil system is being pressurized. The signal stops when the oil delivery process is complete, indicating the engine is ready to start; we elected not to use the optional signal.
Another style of engine pre-luber is the Accusump, available from Canton Racing Products. The Accusump uses pressurized air to deliver oil to the engine.
Another style of pre-oiler is Canton Racing Products' Accusump, which has a cylindrical housing a piston with pressurized air on one side and oil on the other. There are three different valve options for the Accusump-a manual valve for pre-oiling and surge control, an electric valve for pre-oiling operation, and the EPC (electric pressure control) valve for pre-oiling and surge control. With the manual- and electric-style valves, pressurized oil is delivered to the engine when the driver opens the valve or flips a switch before the engine is started. The surge-control option is a unique feature of the Accusump that allows it to fill with oil and automatically discharge when necessary to maintain oil pressure during hard cornering, acceleration, and braking-a feature that makes it popular with road racers.
Revolution Marine offers an engine pre-luber, and, as you might expect by the company's name, its units are often found on boats but are just as at home on street rods. An electric valve closes when the engine is shut off, trapping oil under pressure. The oil is released the next time the ignition is turned on.
Revolution Marine's pre-lube system is simple and affordable. It uses a reservoir connected to the engine oil gallery with 3/8-inch hydraulic hose where the pressure-sending unit enters the block. The valve is open when the engine is running, and oil is forced into the tank until the pressure in the reservoir equals the engine's oil pressure. The valve closes when the key is turned off, storing pressurized oil until the engine is started again.
After we installed the AMS-Oiler in our Model A, the longest its been parked without starting was two weeks; however, the oil pressure jumped to 25 psi as soon as the ignition was flipped on, which is the pressure it was holding at idle when we last shut it down.
Given their simplicity, ease of installation, and affordability, a pre-lube system is one of the best accessories you can add to a street rod. It may not add much in the way of style or flash, but a little squirt can't hurt.
