Weird oil pressure question

Will,

Check out on Yahoo Groups "CushmanGroup".

Cushman Club of America is the national registry for Cushmans and the Sears
Allstate clones.

Budd

"Will Honea" > wrote in message
...
> Old Crow wrote:
>
>> "Budd Cochran" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>I know what you mean.
>>>
>>> 4 Hondas (from 50 - 450 cc)
>>> 1 Suzuki dirt bike
>>> 1 Kawasaki dirt bike
>>> 1 AMF moped
>>> 1 Puch moped (hey, they were cheap transportation)
>>>
>>> And now the Cushman which is a 60 series RoadKing model.
>>>
>>> I've also swapped into it a Cushman 50 series PackageKar transmission
>>> which has a reverse gear and two forward speeds for use with the side
>>> car
>>> I'm building for the scooter ... getting too old to push the durn thing
>>> backward.
>>>
>>> Just don't ask how many cars, trucks and Jeeps I've had ... not enough
>>> bandwidth. <VBG>
>>>
>>
>>
>> Funny that. I was looking at this just the other day:
>> http://www.libertysidecars.com/
>> Gettin' old, but I don't want a trike. This might fill the bill.
>
> Ah, the memories. The part about Cushmans and sidecars that remains with
> me
> comes from the early 50's. I got a drivers license to drive one on-base
> to
> deliver newspapers at the tender age of 13. All was well until I made
> that
> first right-hand turn just a tad too fast with an empty sidecar...
>
> Back then, it seems everyone on base had either a Cushman or an Izetta.
> There must have been half a dozen Cushman models just on Ramey AFB alone -
> everything from the low end single speed step-thru slug to the fancy belt-
> driven variable drive mosels. Learned a lot about wrenching keeping those
> things running.
>
> --
> Will Honea
>

That would be the fibergalass topped body scooter, I believe, and they are
pretty rare.

It'd be worth a lot more restored and the handling isn't good enough to
handle much power.

Two sites that I recommend are Dennis Carpenter Reproductions and
CushmanGroup on Yahoo.

Budd

> wrote in message
...
> Very Cool Scooter!
> I have a 1957 Cushman Step Thru Scooter.
> In all original condition, but it needs a full
> restoration...
> I am actually thinking of building a full
> chromoly tubing frame for it and then stuff
> 250 cc. motorcycle engine into it and turn
> into a drag bike/scooter!
> Then stuff a 255-50-10 inch "Mini" race tire
> in the back and a pizza cutter size tire up front!
>
>
>
> On Wed, 18 May 2011 22:06:35 -0600, "Budd Cochran" >
> wrote:
>
>>Hmmmm . . . .
>>
>>
>>What if my "other ride" is a resto-rodded 1952 Cushman step-thru? Does
>>that
>>count?
>>
>>Swapped in a 7 Hp Briggs (balanced, ported, relieved, shaved head), body (
>>this is the classic "turtle back" scooter) modded with an enlarged trunk
>>made to look like a 50's pickup box ... just a lot smaller.
>>
>>It's geared to run at 55-60 instead of the stock 40-45.
>>
>>Budd
>>
>>"Old Crow" > wrote in message
...
>>> "J. Clarke" > wrote in message
>>> in.local...
>>>> In article ocal>,
>>>> says...
>>>>>
>>>>> 1997 ZJ 5.2.
>>>>>
>>>>> At startup, no oil pressure, can hear lifters clicking.
>>>>>
>>>>> Turn it off, turn it back on, oil pressure comes up, no lifter noise.
>>>>>
>>>>> Oil pressure is a little under 40 per the gage.
>>>>>
>>>>> Give it a little gas and at somewhere between 1000 and 1500 RPM the
>>>>> oil
>>>>> pressure goes away, no lifter noise.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm going to repeat that--it HAS oil pressure at IDLE.
>>>>>
>>>>> ABOVE IDLE it has no oil pressure.
>>>>>
>>>>> Oil level is right at the top mark on the dipstick. I tried changing
>>>>> the oil and filter and that didn't help.
>>>>>
>>>>> Haven't put a mechanical gage on it yet--the lifter noise at startup
>>>>> and
>>>>> the consistent behavior suggest that it's a real problem and not just
>>>>> the gage and I don't have a mechanical gage.
>>>>>
>>>>> Problem started right after I replaced the plenum pan and gasket.
>>>>>
>>>>> My inclination is that something or other (a lump of gasket, a leaf, a
>>>>> squirrel, or whatever) managed to get into the oil pan while I had the
>>>>> manifold off and is now partially obstructing the oil intake.
>>>>>
>>>>> My inclination is to drop the pan and see if the strainer is
>>>>> obstructed,
>>>>> however if anybody has some less messy alternatives to try that don't
>>>>> involve working underneath it in the pouring rain or riding a
>>>>> motorcycle
>>>>> down to the parts store in the pouring rain I'd be ecstatic to give it
>>>>> a
>>>>> try.
>>>>
>>>> Well, got the pan loose and of course it immediately started to rain
>>>> hard.
>>>>
>>>> Now looks like the Y-pipe has to come off. I'd been dreading that.
>>>> AAARRGHHHH.
>>>>
>>>> I'm thinking it's time to bolt it back up and take it to a mechanic.
>>>>
>>>> Hate to do it but with rain forcast for the next week . . .
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Look at it on the bright side. At least you didn't get to the "ride the
>>> motorcycle to the parts store in the rain" stage.
>>>
>>> I mentioned a connection between Harley riders and Jeepers on a Harley
>>> forum. Over 40 people on the Harley forum also had Jeeps.
>>> Then again, maybe it's just motorcycles and Jeeps and not necessarily
>>> just
>>> Harleys.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Old Crow
>>> '82 FLTC(P) 92"
>>> '87 FLTC
>>> '61 F-100 302/C-6
>>> BS#133, SENS, TOMKAT, SLOB#13, MAMBM
>>>
>>>
>>

I think I'm wrong with the model year then,
As it has an all steel body.


On Fri, 20 May 2011 23:20:05 -0600, "Budd Cochran" >
wrote:

>That would be the fibergalass topped body scooter, I believe, and they are
>pretty rare.
>
>It'd be worth a lot more restored and the handling isn't good enough to
>handle much power.
>
>Two sites that I recommend are Dennis Carpenter Reproductions and
>CushmanGroup on Yahoo.
>
>Budd
>
> wrote in message
.. .
>> Very Cool Scooter!
>> I have a 1957 Cushman Step Thru Scooter.
>> In all original condition, but it needs a full
>> restoration...
>> I am actually thinking of building a full
>> chromoly tubing frame for it and then stuff
>> 250 cc. motorcycle engine into it and turn
>> into a drag bike/scooter!
>> Then stuff a 255-50-10 inch "Mini" race tire
>> in the back and a pizza cutter size tire up front!
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, 18 May 2011 22:06:35 -0600, "Budd Cochran" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Hmmmm . . . .
>>>
>>>
>>>What if my "other ride" is a resto-rodded 1952 Cushman step-thru? Does
>>>that
>>>count?
>>>
>>>Swapped in a 7 Hp Briggs (balanced, ported, relieved, shaved head), body (
>>>this is the classic "turtle back" scooter) modded with an enlarged trunk
>>>made to look like a 50's pickup box ... just a lot smaller.
>>>
>>>It's geared to run at 55-60 instead of the stock 40-45.
>>>
>>>Budd
>>>
>>>"Old Crow" > wrote in message
...
>>>> "J. Clarke" > wrote in message
>>>> in.local...
>>>>> In article ocal>,
>>>>> says...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1997 ZJ 5.2.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> At startup, no oil pressure, can hear lifters clicking.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Turn it off, turn it back on, oil pressure comes up, no lifter noise.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oil pressure is a little under 40 per the gage.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Give it a little gas and at somewhere between 1000 and 1500 RPM the
>>>>>> oil
>>>>>> pressure goes away, no lifter noise.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm going to repeat that--it HAS oil pressure at IDLE.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ABOVE IDLE it has no oil pressure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oil level is right at the top mark on the dipstick. I tried changing
>>>>>> the oil and filter and that didn't help.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Haven't put a mechanical gage on it yet--the lifter noise at startup
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> the consistent behavior suggest that it's a real problem and not just
>>>>>> the gage and I don't have a mechanical gage.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Problem started right after I replaced the plenum pan and gasket.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My inclination is that something or other (a lump of gasket, a leaf, a
>>>>>> squirrel, or whatever) managed to get into the oil pan while I had the
>>>>>> manifold off and is now partially obstructing the oil intake.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My inclination is to drop the pan and see if the strainer is
>>>>>> obstructed,
>>>>>> however if anybody has some less messy alternatives to try that don't
>>>>>> involve working underneath it in the pouring rain or riding a
>>>>>> motorcycle
>>>>>> down to the parts store in the pouring rain I'd be ecstatic to give it
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> try.
>>>>>
>>>>> Well, got the pan loose and of course it immediately started to rain
>>>>> hard.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now looks like the Y-pipe has to come off. I'd been dreading that.
>>>>> AAARRGHHHH.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm thinking it's time to bolt it back up and take it to a mechanic.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hate to do it but with rain forcast for the next week . . .
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Look at it on the bright side. At least you didn't get to the "ride the
>>>> motorcycle to the parts store in the rain" stage.
>>>>
>>>> I mentioned a connection between Harley riders and Jeepers on a Harley
>>>> forum. Over 40 people on the Harley forum also had Jeeps.
>>>> Then again, maybe it's just motorcycles and Jeeps and not necessarily
>>>> just
>>>> Harleys.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Old Crow
>>>> '82 FLTC(P) 92"
>>>> '87 FLTC
>>>> '61 F-100 302/C-6
>>>> BS#133, SENS, TOMKAT, SLOB#13, MAMBM
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>

In article ocal>,
says...
>
> In article ocal>,
> says...
> >
> > 1997 ZJ 5.2.
> >
> > At startup, no oil pressure, can hear lifters clicking.
> >
> > Turn it off, turn it back on, oil pressure comes up, no lifter noise.
> >
> > Oil pressure is a little under 40 per the gage.
> >
> > Give it a little gas and at somewhere between 1000 and 1500 RPM the oil
> > pressure goes away, no lifter noise.
> >
> > I'm going to repeat that--it HAS oil pressure at IDLE.
> >
> > ABOVE IDLE it has no oil pressure.
> >
> > Oil level is right at the top mark on the dipstick. I tried changing
> > the oil and filter and that didn't help.
> >
> > Haven't put a mechanical gage on it yet--the lifter noise at startup and
> > the consistent behavior suggest that it's a real problem and not just
> > the gage and I don't have a mechanical gage.
> >
> > Problem started right after I replaced the plenum pan and gasket.
> >
> > My inclination is that something or other (a lump of gasket, a leaf, a
> > squirrel, or whatever) managed to get into the oil pan while I had the
> > manifold off and is now partially obstructing the oil intake.
> >
> > My inclination is to drop the pan and see if the strainer is obstructed,
> > however if anybody has some less messy alternatives to try that don't
> > involve working underneath it in the pouring rain or riding a motorcycle
> > down to the parts store in the pouring rain I'd be ecstatic to give it a
> > try.
>
> Well, got the pan loose and of course it immediately started to rain
> hard.
>
> Now looks like the Y-pipe has to come off. I'd been dreading that.
> AAARRGHHHH.
>
> I'm thinking it's time to bolt it back up and take it to a mechanic.
>
> Hate to do it but with rain forcast for the next week . . .

Can't win for losing.

Turns out the Y-pipe is going to have to come off. No way the pan is
coming off forward unless I pull the axle--it's hanging as far as it can
and there's not enough clearance. Hmm--maybe if I pull the shocks?

And of course the y-pipe is stuck in the cat to the point that I'm going
to have to destroy either it or the cat to get it out.

Hmm--Summit Racing has an exhaust separator for 63 bucks and shipping, a
Y-pipe is 67, a cat is more. Maybe I'll take a chance on the separator.
Hate to have the Jeep out of service for another week before it comes--I
really wish that the auto parts stores would carry stuff like that, but
it would be a week for the Y-pipe anyway.

Oh, well, went ahead and ordered it. Also some aerospace-grade nickel
antiseize intended for slip joints on aircraft exhausts so maybe if it
needs to come apart again it won't be such an infernal hassle.

Meanwhile, an excuse to ride the bike. Just hope it doesn't rain too
much.

Surprisingly the bolts on the flanges came out nicely with no hassle at
all. One needed an impact wrench.

I found it interesting that two different types of fastener were used.
On the left (seen from the front of the car, the driver's side in the
US) the bolts seem to be pressed into the manifold (well, one was--a
year or so back the other had had to be drilled out because it had
busted). On the right side the bolts go in from the bottom and the nuts
have tabs on them to keep them from turning as the bolts are tightened.

Ok, no problem. Check he

http://www.dennis-carpenter.com/cushman.php

They have a complete set of pics of the scooter models except three wheeled
or tracked models up to 1965

Budd
> wrote in message
...
>I think I'm wrong with the model year then,
> As it has an all steel body.
>
>
> On Fri, 20 May 2011 23:20:05 -0600, "Budd Cochran" >
> wrote:
>
>>That would be the fibergalass topped body scooter, I believe, and they
>>are
>>pretty rare.
>>
>>It'd be worth a lot more restored and the handling isn't good enough to
>>handle much power.
>>
>>Two sites that I recommend are Dennis Carpenter Reproductions and
>>CushmanGroup on Yahoo.
>>
>>Budd
>>
> wrote in message
. ..
>>> Very Cool Scooter!
>>> I have a 1957 Cushman Step Thru Scooter.
>>> In all original condition, but it needs a full
>>> restoration...
>>> I am actually thinking of building a full
>>> chromoly tubing frame for it and then stuff
>>> 250 cc. motorcycle engine into it and turn
>>> into a drag bike/scooter!
>>> Then stuff a 255-50-10 inch "Mini" race tire
>>> in the back and a pizza cutter size tire up front!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, 18 May 2011 22:06:35 -0600, "Budd Cochran" >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Hmmmm . . . .
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>What if my "other ride" is a resto-rodded 1952 Cushman step-thru? Does
>>>>that
>>>>count?
>>>>
>>>>Swapped in a 7 Hp Briggs (balanced, ported, relieved, shaved head), body
>>>>(
>>>>this is the classic "turtle back" scooter) modded with an enlarged trunk
>>>>made to look like a 50's pickup box ... just a lot smaller.
>>>>
>>>>It's geared to run at 55-60 instead of the stock 40-45.
>>>>
>>>>Budd
>>>>
>>>>"Old Crow" > wrote in message
...
>>>>> "J. Clarke" > wrote in message
>>>>> in.local...
>>>>>> In article ocal>,
>>>>>> says...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 1997 ZJ 5.2.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> At startup, no oil pressure, can hear lifters clicking.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Turn it off, turn it back on, oil pressure comes up, no lifter
>>>>>>> noise.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oil pressure is a little under 40 per the gage.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Give it a little gas and at somewhere between 1000 and 1500 RPM the
>>>>>>> oil
>>>>>>> pressure goes away, no lifter noise.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'm going to repeat that--it HAS oil pressure at IDLE.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ABOVE IDLE it has no oil pressure.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oil level is right at the top mark on the dipstick. I tried
>>>>>>> changing
>>>>>>> the oil and filter and that didn't help.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Haven't put a mechanical gage on it yet--the lifter noise at startup
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> the consistent behavior suggest that it's a real problem and not
>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>> the gage and I don't have a mechanical gage.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Problem started right after I replaced the plenum pan and gasket.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My inclination is that something or other (a lump of gasket, a leaf,
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> squirrel, or whatever) managed to get into the oil pan while I had
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> manifold off and is now partially obstructing the oil intake.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My inclination is to drop the pan and see if the strainer is
>>>>>>> obstructed,
>>>>>>> however if anybody has some less messy alternatives to try that
>>>>>>> don't
>>>>>>> involve working underneath it in the pouring rain or riding a
>>>>>>> motorcycle
>>>>>>> down to the parts store in the pouring rain I'd be ecstatic to give
>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> try.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, got the pan loose and of course it immediately started to rain
>>>>>> hard.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Now looks like the Y-pipe has to come off. I'd been dreading that.
>>>>>> AAARRGHHHH.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm thinking it's time to bolt it back up and take it to a mechanic.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hate to do it but with rain forcast for the next week . . .
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Look at it on the bright side. At least you didn't get to the "ride
>>>>> the
>>>>> motorcycle to the parts store in the rain" stage.
>>>>>
>>>>> I mentioned a connection between Harley riders and Jeepers on a Harley
>>>>> forum. Over 40 people on the Harley forum also had Jeeps.
>>>>> Then again, maybe it's just motorcycles and Jeeps and not necessarily
>>>>> just
>>>>> Harleys.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Old Crow
>>>>> '82 FLTC(P) 92"
>>>>> '87 FLTC
>>>>> '61 F-100 302/C-6
>>>>> BS#133, SENS, TOMKAT, SLOB#13, MAMBM
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>

"Budd Cochran" > wrote in message
...
> That would be the fibergalass topped body scooter, I believe, and they
> are pretty rare.
>
> It'd be worth a lot more restored and the handling isn't good enough to
> handle much power.
>
> Two sites that I recommend are Dennis Carpenter Reproductions and
> CushmanGroup on Yahoo.
>
> Budd


Heh, didn't know Dennis Carpenter did scooters. I bought the last NOS side
mount spare tire rack in the country for my old Ford pickup from him.
Wonder if he has Harley parts?

--
Old Crow
'82 FLTC(P) 92"
'87 FLTC
'61 F-100 302/C-6
BS#133, SENS, TOMKAT, SLOB#13, MAMBM

Nope, just older Ford car, truck, tractor and Cushmans.

Budd

"Old Crow" > wrote in message
...
> "Budd Cochran" > wrote in message
> ...
>> That would be the fibergalass topped body scooter, I believe, and they
>> are pretty rare.
>>
>> It'd be worth a lot more restored and the handling isn't good enough to
>> handle much power.
>>
>> Two sites that I recommend are Dennis Carpenter Reproductions and
>> CushmanGroup on Yahoo.
>>
>> Budd
>
>
> Heh, didn't know Dennis Carpenter did scooters. I bought the last NOS
> side mount spare tire rack in the country for my old Ford pickup from him.
> Wonder if he has Harley parts?
>
> --
> Old Crow
> '82 FLTC(P) 92"
> '87 FLTC
> '61 F-100 302/C-6
> BS#133, SENS, TOMKAT, SLOB#13, MAMBM
>
>