Elan Oil flow

I am new to the forum and have recently purchased an S2 which is runable but needing some light restoration. In one of the forums i came across an article (mentioning Dave Bean) which was concerned with excessive oil flow to the cylinder head with the solution of fitting a plug somewhere in the cylinder block with a 0.090 diameter hole in it which restricted the flow of oil to the head. Has anybody carried out this modification and can it be done with the engine in place.

It’s a mod that dates back to the preXflow days, I have done it on both Xflow & T/Cam engines, it involves fitting a plug (brass) in the block where the oil is fed up to the head.
You can only do it with the head off but the engine can be still in the car.
…and welcome to the forum

I found a pic of one I fitted to my Seven

Thanks for the prompt reply. Now I know what and where and will carry out when the head is removed during restoration.

Many thanks
:slight_smile:

Fitting a restrictor in the head oil feed, while often done, is really only hiding some other problem.

A properly built head with correct cam bearing clearances and correct valve guide clearances will not smoke due to “excessive oil in the head” and does not need a restrictor even if running a high pressure / high volume pump.

regards
Rohan

Sinky, Is this the article you refered to where Dave Bean is mentioned ? it also gives a picture of the mod.

QUOTE:
Bean also recommends an additional modification to improve the performance of the oiling system. A restrictive plug with a 0.090-inch-diameter hole can be installed in the block to reduce the flow of oil to the head. In a Twin Cam, the valve train receives a disproportionate flow of oil when the engine runs at high revs, causing a build-up of oil in the head. Reducing the oil flow to the head allows more oil to be retained in the sump, and also provides additional flow to the crank and rods