JD LA oil line

[Patsdeere]

Awhile back I asked about an oil line that had been filled and trapped as a return into the block from the oil pressure gauge port. I pulled the oil pan and the hole lines up with rod #2. Is there anyway that it could shoot across from edge of the block and be doing any good on that rod? Or was quack job farmer thinking he was improving it?
Picture original post

 

[Bob]

Looks like it exits the oil gallery in the side of the block and goes forwards to lube the timing gears. Looks like there's a casting "boss" up there where it's piped to???

I wonder if any version of that engine could have used a bypass oil filter that had an oil return to the timing gear area?

 

[Patsdeere]

Here are a couple of more pics. It comes out of the port where the gauge goes. It drinks back into the block through the line. In the picture the top of the screw driver is sitting where it goes into the through the wall of the block.

I want to eliminate it, but also don't want to kill my motor. Think I would be safe plugging the return and putting a gauge in like every other LA I've seen?

 

[Bob]

If the oil pressure regulating valve is functional, I don't see why you couldn't eliminate the line. I think I'd have a look at it, though. I have an LUC engine (that I haven't messed with for years), I gotta take a look at the block and see what that area looks like tomorrow! From memory, I thought the oil gauge was originally located at the BACK port, but I see that isn't the case, looking at the PC.

I still wonder if what you have could be the remains of the lines to a bypass oil filter that MAY have been installed somewhere along the line, by a PO.

 

[Patsdeere]

I don't know about the filter. I've had it 20 years, and the previous owner has long since died.

 

[Lauren in IOWA]

Here is the add on oil filter on my L, one line goes to the block and the other one to the oil pressure guage.

 

[Bob]

Too bad the photo didn't "take", I would like to see that setup.

That's what I figured is what the line/port on the OP's engine must have been for at one time.

I suppose someone got tired of the filter canister at some point, and removed it.

Unless the one of the fittings (or the line) is closed off or restricted, that engine sure can't have much oil pressure, simply piping all that oil from the gauge for over to the "dump" hole in the side of the crankcase!

 

[Patsdeere]

Interestingly the pump goes directly to the bearings and then apparently to the gauge. At least mains were being lubed.