Oil pressure switch issues

As you know I had a oil pressure switch leak and I had difficulties in getting the Switch out. Two issues the extractors were a pain and there is a bolt (20170503_215604) in the way. I bought a tube socket (27MM) but that bolt stopped the sock going fully down. To over come the issue I bought a T-piece (20170502_154925) and a 1/8th gas blank and was able to easily get it in and done up tight. What a crazy idea this extra cover (Stanpart No 214020) where the oil pressure switch goes. Does anyone know why it is there? Is it a oil gallery hiding in there. Next day Jack found a huge rats nest in his Stag engine. The joys of living in Canberra. My advice is to have a spare 1/8th gas blank just in case. Have a great weekend

Dave M.: Graeme,, re your query "What a crazy idea this extra cover (Stanpart No 214020) where the oil pressure switch goes. Does anyone know why it is there? Is it a oil gallery hiding in there." The part is identified as an "oil transfer housing", and since car manufacturers don't add expensive machined items for no good reason, I suspect (without seeing inside a block) that there is a change in oil gallery direction, which required machining or drilling in the block, and this machining access has to be covered after this machining operation. The obverse face not seen in your pics above, has a transfer groove cast in for the oil transfer.

John Powell: I have been reading the stories on the woes of the Oil Pressure Switch which I also had a problem with. In a lighter note, here is an article on the Switch that I wrote for our Club Newsletter as I am the Editor of the Sun Country Historic Vehicle & Machinery Club ( Yarrawonga Mulwala, Cobram, Barooga Tocumwal). My switch was the 3 terminal type which is not listed in the Rimmer Bros Catalogue but I asked Rimmer Bros and they promptly returned my email saying that do have them as they were fitted to other late model Triumphs (TR7 or something). And an obligatory photo of the Stag is attached too. This Stag was purchased 12 months ago, had only done a genuine 56,00Km (evidence supplied) and is in beautiful original condition.

As you can see from Mikes photos and one of mine (the dirty one) you can see that the cover plate bolt really gets in the way of removing the Pressure switch. My 2.5PI runs a different shape pressure switch and this would not have been a problem. The only question I have of Mike is "does the cover plate have a gasket or "O" Ring the seal the plate against the block. I wish that my engine was a clean as Mike' engine. The Part Number for the T-piece is 547-60 the blank plug is a 1/8NPT

I can never remember having too many access issues with the oil pressure switch Graham, it was easy on the rebuild with the engine out of course. I do remember fitting an o ring seal though behind the transfer/housing. Let me know if you need photos. As per photos (and I have yet to fit the reconditioned booster) access with the extractors is very good. Also have accumulated a few switches and cannot remember which one I should use? I think the engine had the 3 prong, don't know how I ended up with that Rover one though.. John Yanoulis Suite [address removed], Kew East, VIC 3102

Forgot to attach the Rimmer pictures from their site with the middle attachment being an uprated 20psi switch - maybe worth having? First attachment similar to yours Graeme. I think they are selling this as a bypass for a feeder to mechanical oil pressure gauge. John Yanoulis

Leon H.: All these horror stories about the oil pressure switch remind me of a story from the 70s. A friend's brother was going to drive across the Nullarbor ( which was a really big adventure back then) in his EH Holden. He decided that an oil pressure gauge was a mandatory addition, so he bought the gauge and fitted it on top of the dash. Unfortunately the switch blew up at speed on a really isolated part of the hot and dusty road and he lost all the oil and hence the engine. Then ensued a very difficult fix! Motto : Make sure that the warning system which is there to tell you if there are problems, doesn’t cause the very problem it is there to detect.

John Y.: Very nice looking car John with amazing low mileage, Are you happy to share the history of the vehicle?

That’s a very funny story Leon and a great motto! May not have been too funny stuck out in the middle of the Nullarbor in the 70's pre mobile phone days.. John Yanoulis