Oil pump gasket thickness

[Adrivg]

I am working on a 42 EL Knucklehead from a friend and at idle the oil lamp comes on when the motor is hot. I placed a gauge on the pump and maximum pressure I could read on the gauge was 15 PSI.I want to be sure that the gasket between the pump and the case is at factory thickness specification. Who knows what thickness it should be? The installed gasket is about 0,011" (0,027mm) But I found also damage inside the pump. When I disassembled the oilpump I noticed that the drive of the governor roter was broken off, peaces of the broken drive were still in scavenger idler gear. The roter turns now freely in pump cover housing. The steelplate that is between the roter and scavenger pump gears, showes marks of wear near the rotor drive and idler gear as well. Any idea what caused this damage? The friend has not riden this bike yet, he bought it from a friend and the motor should have been completely overhauled was the story..........thanks for your help. Adri Netherlands AMCA#6270

[Carl Olsen]

The oil pump gaskets available from the aftermarket are too thick, so I had them made thinner like the old originals, as for the scars on the steel plate, they are probably from the metal off of the rotor drive. I also had new rotor drive plates laser cut for replacement, both for the factory replacement and the block off plate style on the early pans. I personally would take it apart and check the whole motor before he ruins more parts or for piece of mind. Sounds like a big mess.
Carl

[Adrivg]

Hello Carl, thanks for your reaction and help. I found meanwhile the thinner gaskets locally. The owner of the bike wants a quick and cheap repair and I warned him for the risks. We now blocked the oil access to the rotor chamber with theaded plugs and placed the rotor back with a cut back drive end and flatten the steelplate to remove the marks. Meaning the rotor is not longer in use. When the motor runs again, I will check again the oil pressure with a gauge

[T. Cotten]

... When the motor runs again, I will check again the oil pressure with a gauge

Its a better measure of success, Adrivg,...

..Is to observer the return flow at the tank.

You can have great flow at very little pressure, or very high pressure because of resistance to flow.

A gauge only gives you an idea of how the motor is warming up.

....Cotten