Oil Pressure Gauge Pipe

[partviking]

I have a 1940 Twelve and the oil pipe feed is 7/16 BSF block end and 1/4 BSP into the back of the gauage.

I can get a pipe made up by doing away with the adaptor (7/16 BSF to 1/4 BSP) that screws into the block but the parts book calls this adaptor a "Oil Feed & Rear Cam Bearing Locator". How critical is its length and diameter to this locator function?

The reason I'm asking is I screw into the block a 1/4 BSP (male) to 1/4 BSP (male) fitting I could use the nylon pipe available from Speedograph.

Why would Rover go from 1/4 BSP to 7/16 BSF and back to 1/4 BSP ................ or has someone cobbled this together to get them out of trouble?

Any information appreciated.

Alan

[TonyG]

Hi Alan,

Can’t say for sure what size the fittings are on my pressure gauge pipes but I seem to recall that both ends are the same size thread. However, one female fitting is deeper and there is a male to male adapter fitted into the block. When I replaced mine I took the old pipe to a local hydraulics motor factor (Anglia Hose and Hydraulics) and they made me a new pipe from braided steel covered rubber using the old end pieces. It cost about £15, so not expensive and they did it while I waited. This was four years ago but unlikely to cost much more now. Both my cars have exactly the same arrangement but they are 36/37 models and yours is a little later.

Not sure this helps you much but it is another option for replacing the pipe.

Tony.

[partviking]

Tony
Thank you for your reply.
Yes I had considered the 'new hose on old fittings' route and that was probably going to be my next option. The adaptor in the block certainly looks original but my concern was that if I removed it I might somehow affect the integrity of the camshaft rear bearing but as I'm new to these engines I'm not aware of how the cam/bearings are located, though the end cap would appear to be sufficient to do the job.
I think the fact you have the same size fittings both ends shows a difference between our respective cars and my perception is someone has done some sort of work around to get them out of trouble. One of the downsides of no shows is I'm unable to go and view others cars to see the set up which may have shown a standard across the range and provided an insight as to how it was supposed to be.

Regards

Alan

[TonyG]

Alan,

I’ve yet to fit the dashboard to my Saloon so the oil pressure gauge is connected loosely enabling me to start the engine. However, the car is in a lock up garage so I wasn’t able to look before replying yesterday. I’m going there today and will try to get a picture or two of the pipe and adapter.

I have removed the adapter from my engine in the past so I don’t think it will affect the cam if you do, but I may just have been lucky. Pretty poor design if it does though and Rover engines don’t usually fit that category.

I don’t know where you are in the country but you are welcome to come and look at mine if you are ever near the Essex/Suffolk border.

Tony.

[partviking]

Thanks Tony, I'd really appreciate that.

I've also reallsied I gave the wrong thread type it's actually 1/8 BSF not 1/4 BSP at the guage end.

I didn't think the adaptor would be critical to the rear cam bearing but better safe than sorry.

Regards

Alan

[TonyG]

Alan,

Taken a couple of pictures. As I thought both ends of the pipe are the same thread size but the adapter end is longer. The nut size is 1/4W.

Hope this helps a bit. If nothing else, you can compare with yours to see which bits look the same.

Tony

[partviking]

Thanks Tony,

I appreciate you taking the time to reply and include the photos.

Yours looks identical to mine so I think I'll go down the replacement hose keep the fittings route.

Had a look at your car in your post. A real credit to you....just hope I can get there.

Regards

Alan

[Rubythursday]

The fitting is longer where it screws into the block as it extends down and locates the cam bearing.

[partviking]

The fitting is longer where it screws into the block as it extends down and locates the cam bearing.

...............so clearly a fitting the supplies the oil pressure to the hose but doesn't extend down to locate the bearing will lead to problems with the bearing at some point?

Alan

[Rubythursday]

yes as the cam bearing could turn.