Oil pump gaskets… who needs ‘em…?

Fast Eddie

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Am I right in thinking that early bikes didn’t have them?

I striped a race motor a while back that didn’t have one (built by a highly regarded engine builder].

Just got me wundrin’ …
 
Sadly, you need a thick one when you get this from a reputable builder!
Oil pump gaskets… who needs ‘em…?
 
Adjusting gaskets and / or gasket thickness to get a good oil pump seal fit sounds very logical gents.

Next question, if using no oil pump gasket, what’s the recommended MO… some form of sealant on the pump face, or just dry?
 
You sure you want to try this? Methinks the gasket mitigates bleed off, I once thought of machining the back of the pump for orings around the scavenge and feed holes but too little surface between them to make it feasible.
 
Adjusting gaskets and / or gasket thickness to get a good oil pump seal fit sounds very logical gents.

Next question, if using no oil pump gasket, what’s the recommended MO… some form of sealant on the pump face, or just dry?
If I were going to do it, thin Permatex #3 on both surfaces, let dry a few minutes and assemble. A little Permatex #3 in the passageway is unlikely to hurt anything. Most of the favorite sealers on the forum certainly could.

Then I suppose one or more of the shims that AN sells would be needed - haven't measured - don't know.
 
You sure you want to try this? Methinks the gasket mitigates bleed off, I once thought of machining the back of the pump for orings around the scavenge and feed holes but too little surface between them to make it feasible.
Not planning on trying it per se. I’ve always thought a gasket was a no brainer in this context, so I’m just intrigued by the fact that Norton didn’t always fit one and neither did this particular engine builder. Just wundrin what’s what.
 
Better off without it. Your oil PSI is fine without it. They can blow and then you have a serious problem.
 
Better off without it. Your oil PSI is fine without it. They can blow and then you have a serious problem.
Interesting .
Never had a gasket blow ever , on a Norton , and I've owned 4 . Leaked yes . But not the oil pump ,
Bigger factor is fitting it backwards , way bigger attention to detail .
 
I’m very appreciative of the feedback from y’all on this topic. It made me look far more closely at this situation than I perhaps might have otherwise done.

I have now concluded that this engine was missing its oil pump gasket by design. I’ve played around with 2 timing covers, 3 types of gasket, and 2 different types of pump oil seal.

There is no space for a gasket !

It will be going back together with a thin application of Wellseal around the oil holes and no pump gasket.
 
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