Oil return spring. URGENT AND IMPORTANT.

Interesting. Consider a few points.

1/ You have a Wolseley with the electric sender and Smiths guage. The sender is known to be one of the most inaccurate devices ever invented. My own 18/85 showed 25psi regardless of temperature or speed. Investigation showed that the variable resistor mechanism was jammed. A new unit was sourced. They are rare and hard to find, but the E-type Jag one is ostensibly the same thing. It isn't - it reads exactly half the generated pressure of a "B" series. My late good friend Mike supplied a working, used sender. It lasted about 18 months, before it too jammed. Eventually, I sourced a guage from a Six and converted to a capillary system. We are now down to one moving part and no electrics. The engine consistently shows over 50psi when running.

2/ Mike was also of the opinion that the "B" engine is one of the most forgiving engines ever built. Providing that there is some oil pressure, they'll keep running almost indefinitely; assuming that it's not being thrashed every time it's used. Curiously enough, I work regularly with a retired mechanic who shares the same opinion.

3/ My Austin has only a warning light. It goes out.... Some months back, Ron (the retired mechanic) was tinkering with my engine, due to an on-going cam timing problem. He pulled the switch and connected his professional pressure meter - 45-60psi delivered.

4/ When I was rebuilding the red car, I did replace the spring and plunger. There was wear on the face of the plunger, so possiby a good call. The replacement spring was wound the other way and was actually shorter, which I found slightly disturbing. It took a few phone calls to find a spring which I felt met specification. Anyway, it's easily accessed despite being down the back of the engine, but do the plunger at the same time. It makes sense.

Chris.