1930 Dictator GL oil pump info needed

[Guest stumax]

My 1930 Dictator GL five window coupe has always had low oil pressure. The last few times I drove it, which I baby it when I do drive it, after it warms up 10 to 15 psi is all it has at 30 miles per hour. I know it is got to be lose on the inside because it has over 63000 miles and to my knowledge has never been rebuilt but it does run good. I was looking in some parts I have obtained and found what looks to be a housing and gears for the oil pump that might fit. The gears or longer than the housing, but I didn't know if the gears fit up into the upper housing. I would like any info, pictures or parts book pictures, or service book information on this subject so that I will know what I'm getting into.</SPAN>

[Guest John.McMaster]

I have a 1930 Commander and the oil pump housing fell apart in my hands when I removed it. Some sort of low grade metal casting. We fixed it by making a new casting. That was many years ago when I worked in an aircraft factory. However the point is that the low oil pressure was not due to the oil pump after all but was the pressure relief valve leaking after the pressure spring broke and collapsed into itself. Maybe the Dictator has a similar system and its very easy to remove and check if clean and properly adjusted. Also take a reading with another oil pressure gauge and there is also a filter in the sump which may be partially blocked. My car runs at about 30psi once settled down. Pull the oil pump apart last is the moral of the story.

[Guest 32mod55]

The Sept-Oct issue of the Antique Studebaker Review has an article on page 10 that may have some pertinent information, although not specific to your particular application.

[Guest stumax]

Thanks for the infromation. Does anyone have a parts book photo or service book pape on the oil bypass valve so I can have a idea of what I'm getting into. Thanks for the help.

[studerex]

Of course is the pump casting is cracked and you crank up the pressure valve that should do it in. I have done dozens of these pumps on presidents and have only found one not cracked. They are all the same design and pot metal.

[Guest stude8]

It is certain your original oil pump body is cracked and losing pressure as a result, attached is the article from Antique Studebaker Review first published in 1985 and rerun in the latest issue. You will have to locate a replacement pump body preferrably made from brass or aluminum to replace the defective one. Years ago Lionel Stone reproduced them in brass but they are no longer available to my knowledge, a local machine shop should be able to reproduce one from the dimensions of

the one in your engine. Good luck, Stude8

[Guest stumax]

I need to be more specific in that my 1930 Dictator GL is a six cylinder. It has the external oil pump located under the distributer. As I stated before the oil pressure is around 10 to 15 psi at best. Does this motor have a pressure bypass valve? I don’t notice one in the location that my President has one. It would be helpful to have a parts book picture of it to see what I’m getting into. I have found what appears to be the oil pump housing in bronze in some older parts I have, but the gear that are with it looks to be too long for the application. Don’t want to take apart the pump until I know I have the right parts. The pump may not even be the problem. Thanks for the information and help.</SPAN>

[Guest stude8]

The attached pages are from 1934 Dictator Model A parts book but are probably the same or similar to your engine, hope they help.

Stude8

[pvstudebak]

Hi Stumax,

I have a 1930 Dictator GL with the six cylinder engine. The oil pump on this as well as a spare I have, the housing is cast iron. To make sure, with the gears removed a magnet sticks to them as well as the end plate. The input shaft as well as the housing had some wear. To remedy this, machined the shaft enough so it measured the same throughout, them bored the housing enough to press in a bushing. after that bored the bushing so that the shaft had a good fit. That was the only outstanding problem with the pump. Some pictures here that might be useful. Virgil

[Stude Light]

If you decide you need an oil pump, I have a couple of nice spares.

Scott

smrdeza@lentel.com

Edited January 16, 2013 by Stude Light (see edit history)

[Guest stumax]

Thanks to all of you who responded to my needs on finding a solution to the 1930 Dictator GL with low oil pressure. The pictures and illustrations were very helpful in solving the problem. The car has had low oil pressure for a long time and I was getting concerned about driving it. After seeing the pictures of the oil by pass valve, I took it apart today. The spring felt weak and the last curl on the end of the spring was not round. The ball looked like it had a little round grove in it where is set up to the seat inside the motor. I went to my local John Deere dealer and we found a ball the right size, and a spring. The closest spring we could find was a little longer and little stronger. I came back and placed the new ball and spring in the motor and started it up. With the motor at idle speed the oil pressure quickly went to 50 psi on the gauge in the car. I thought this was way too much, so I stop the motor and installed the old original spring. Started the car back up and now I have 20 psi at low idle. I ran the motor till the oil warmed up, still 20 psi, and I had a few oil leaks at the oil filter I had to fix. Never had enough oil pressure to have leaks, a different and good problem to have. I plan to drive the car this weekend to see how it will run out on the road. Many thanks again to all of you who help.</SPAN>

[Stude Light]

If you had a late model vehicle with low oil pressure, that would be a several thousand dollar fix vs. the couple of bucks you spent. Gotta love these vintage cars - designed for serviceability.

Scott

[Guest John.McMaster]

There goes your chance at Concourse now the whole (Studebaker) world knows you have a tractor part in it!

[nvonada]

The flip side is they were designed for serviceability because you hade to service them continuously. I have not had to touch an oil pump since my 83' Buick shredded a timing chain and the pump ate the pieces. That was 1994. I like my Stude but for reliable transportation we are MUCH better off today. I am glad to hear this worked out.

[Guest stumax]

Yesterday I drove my 1930 Dictator GL five window coupe to a local car show. First outing sense I repaired the oil by pass valve ball. I had improved oil pressure down the road, 25 to 30 psi, going forty miles per hour. Low idle, setting, after running fifteen or more miles the pressure went down to about 12 psi. Much better than what I have been experiencing the last several years. I had to give rides after the show, to several of my friends and my kids and their friends, so I had a great day driving my Studebaker and to top it all off the little Dictator GL won the prewar stock category. Great day at the car show. Thanks again for the help, now I’m back to work restoring my 1930 President FE seven passenger. Long ways to go but, making good progress.</SPAN>