Dry Sump
#2
I'm not drive expert, but I believe the #6 is the strongest drive Merc makes. It's used primarily in racing.
With a "dry sump" oil system the drive oil is stored in a separate catch tank in the hull. An oil pump pulls lube from the tank and circulates it through the drive where it's collected in a low area and pumped back to the tank.
Don't confuse a Bravo drive with an external oil tank for a dry sump system. The Bravo has the "oil reservoir" just to keep the drive full of oil.
Advantage?
With basically no oil in the drive the gears can be spun faster, with less drag. Also the pressurized oiling supplies better coverage to the gears and bearings than being totally submersed. With gears spinning in oil they can cause the oil to whip into foam or create an air pocket around the gear keeping the oil away.
Another advantage is that the oil tank can hold far more oil than just filling the drive housing. It also helps keeps the oil cooler.
Some racing engines use a dry sump oil system too. Same idea, no oil is stored in the pan. It all goes to a catch tank. With no oil in the pan the crank shaft can spin faster without oil splashing around.
With a "dry sump" oil system the drive oil is stored in a separate catch tank in the hull. An oil pump pulls lube from the tank and circulates it through the drive where it's collected in a low area and pumped back to the tank.
Don't confuse a Bravo drive with an external oil tank for a dry sump system. The Bravo has the "oil reservoir" just to keep the drive full of oil.
Advantage?
With basically no oil in the drive the gears can be spun faster, with less drag. Also the pressurized oiling supplies better coverage to the gears and bearings than being totally submersed. With gears spinning in oil they can cause the oil to whip into foam or create an air pocket around the gear keeping the oil away.
Another advantage is that the oil tank can hold far more oil than just filling the drive housing. It also helps keeps the oil cooler.
Some racing engines use a dry sump oil system too. Same idea, no oil is stored in the pan. It all goes to a catch tank. With no oil in the pan the crank shaft can spin faster without oil splashing around.
Last edited by Iggy; 07-13-2006 at 11:27 AM.
#3
Originally Posted by Iggy
I'm not drive expert, but I believe the #6 is the strongest drive Merc makes. It's used primarily in racing.
With a "dry sump" oil system the drive oil is stored in a separate catch tank in the hull. An oil pump pulls lube from the tank and circulates it through the drive where it's collected in a low area and pumped back to the tank.
Don't confuse a Bravo drive with an external oil tank for a dry sump system. The Bravo has the "oil reservoir" just to keep the drive full of oil.
Advantage?
With basically no oil in the drive the gears can be spun faster, with less drag. Also the pressurized oiling supplies better coverage to the gears and bearings than being totally submersed. With gears spinning in oil they can cause the oil to whip into foam or create an air pocket around the gear keeping the oil away.
Another advantage is that the oil tank can hold far more oil than just filling the drive housing. It also helps keeps the oil cooler.
Some racing engines use a dry sump oil system too. Same idea, no oil is stored in the pan. It all goes to a catch tank. With no oil in the pan the crank shaft can spin faster without oil splashing around.
With a "dry sump" oil system the drive oil is stored in a separate catch tank in the hull. An oil pump pulls lube from the tank and circulates it through the drive where it's collected in a low area and pumped back to the tank.
Don't confuse a Bravo drive with an external oil tank for a dry sump system. The Bravo has the "oil reservoir" just to keep the drive full of oil.
Advantage?
With basically no oil in the drive the gears can be spun faster, with less drag. Also the pressurized oiling supplies better coverage to the gears and bearings than being totally submersed. With gears spinning in oil they can cause the oil to whip into foam or create an air pocket around the gear keeping the oil away.
Another advantage is that the oil tank can hold far more oil than just filling the drive housing. It also helps keeps the oil cooler.
Some racing engines use a dry sump oil system too. Same idea, no oil is stored in the pan. It all goes to a catch tank. With no oil in the pan the crank shaft can spin faster without oil splashing around.
pretty much, except the 6 doesnt have an external tank, but other wise on the money
#5
Originally Posted by gripit
If the six doesn't have an external tank than how does it work?
Last edited by Reed Jensen; 07-14-2006 at 01:27 AM.
#7
Originally Posted by Iggy
OK, like I said "I'm no expert".
When I think of a dry sump system I think of having an external oil tank. I thought, assumed, that's how the drive was set up too.
When I think of a dry sump system I think of having an external oil tank. I thought, assumed, that's how the drive was set up too.
#9
One of the reasons for using, dry sump systems on a race car is to keep everything lubricated at all time. On a "ordinary" system the g force could drive the oil away from the pump.
I had a '66 Shelby GT350, as I rounded a fast right hand curve I lost oil pressure momentarily. Spun to rods and one main bearing.
If the engine still had the original aluminum deep sump racing pan it would have been ok. But the stock 289 steel pan was on insted.
#10
Originally Posted by Hydrolift
One of the reasons for using, dry sump systems on a race car is to keep everything lubricated at all time. On a "ordinary" system the g force could drive the oil away from the pump.



