Hi folks.

When I bought my Indy, it was sold as having a modified sump yet I only have 2 1/2 inches or so of ground clearance and often find I am smacking the road when with a passenger or if the road is bumpy/highly crested. I've attached a few photos so you can see the clearance I have - it doesn't appear to have been modified to me from the outside when I look at pictures of other peoples modified sumps.


Sump


Sump 2


Sump 3

Does a modified sump mean it's had something done inside (i.e. baffled differently or something as the engine now sits longitudinally rather than across when in a Mondeo) or does it generally mean its been shortened to give better clearance?

I know in the end I have to get it shortened but just wanted to know what to expect inside the sump if it could mean something else. Thanks for any thoughts.



[Edited on 8/9/15 by rm0rgan]

Modified could mean all sorts of things, internal baffling added or even removed. Shortened, winged enlarged etc..

Or it could be one off a different engine... Mondeo had a different sump to the Escort, which is what yours looks like.. I'm presuming its a

Sticking out the bottom like that is disaster waiting to happen plus the thing is at an angle which could cause oil surge and starvation problems.

You need to get it shortened and levelled out. If you want to continue for a while before doing that I would fasten some lengths of wood to the underside of the chassis rails either side of the engine and screw on a skid plate.

Sump mods are usually shortening, adding extra capacity to make up for lost capacity when shortening and adding baffles to prevent oil surge / starvation.

I chopped my own sump and didn't add any baffles. I've had no issues with oil surge or starvation.

Your sump certainly hasn't been shortened.


You need around 4" / 100mm to be OK on the road.

Stu

My sump was exactly the same as that and last year it cooked my engine due to oil starvation, sort it quick!

Looks like a standard sump externally for sure.

Most modded onew take the down stand away and add volume back towards the rear.

If you search on line "zetec sump chop"......you will find loads of images and information showing what needs to be done. There is an excellent "how to do it " guide on Pauls kit car pages...

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Originally posted by anthony1
If you search on line "zetec sump chop"......you will find loads of images and information showing what needs to be done. There is an excellent "how to do it " guide on Pauls kit car pages...

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Terrific responses - thanks everyone. I thought it didnt look too modified to me.

So now I just need to find someone to do this for me as I don't own a welder (or have any welding skills to speak of!)......is there anyone who would fancy doing it for me in exchange for some beer tokens?

I can take the sump off and would happily drive with it (or even with it on the car if the weather was fine) a reasonable distance if it could be done in a day - naturally, I'd be happy to get my hands dirty, hold bits and make encouraging noises! :-)

Probably take a bit more than a day although those with greater experience may be able to do it that quickly. It's better to take your time and make sure that you have welded it all up tightly so as not to have any leaks.

Also Try and make a jig for an angle grinder so you get a clean cut all around and ensure it's square.

[Edited on 8/9/15 by tims31]

Zetec 1800 sump 72mm (depending on ride height)

[img]
1800 sump clearance 72mm [/img]


Tiger ERA Sump about 1 1/4" above bellhouse


[img]
Tiger ERA sump [/img]

Martin Keenan at MK Engineering has recently been making shortened modified zetec sumps, i would call him.

The Tiger sump is expensive for what it is and the pickup they altered was wrong so i would steer clear of them.

Just keep using it as it is.....it'll soon be modified.

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Originally posted by owelly
Just keep using it as it is.....it'll soon be modified.

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Sodded mump

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Originally posted by owelly

Sodded mump

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Originally posted by owelly

Sodded mump

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Just a thought.. nose cone off .. stand on and bounce the front end ...does it hit the ground?
Any bump stops on your front shocks?
I think he may have said 'needs a modified sump'...


[Edited on 8/9/15 by johnemms]

I've got the same problem with my c20xe and big wing sump, continually have to back off when the road gets bumpy, nightmare when 2 up. One of my winter projects is to get the springs off and put higher poundage ones one to help this and the handling, which is a little squidgy for me.

My back axle bottomed out when 2 up.
Took springs off stuck in a wheel off skateboard in each damper to restrict travel - sorted..

Going fast 2 up - hit a compression in the road sump hit deck - punctured - both rubber engine mounts busted..

Stood on nose - bounced it - it hit the deck hard..
Repaired chopped sump - new engine mounts then ..

Took front springs off stuck in a wheel off skateboard in each damper to restrict travel - sorted.. Locost ..

[Edited on 8/9/15 by johnemms]

quote:

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Originally posted by johnemms
Just a thought.. nose cone off .. stand on and bounce the front end ...does it hit the ground?
Any bump stops on your front shocks?
I think he may have said 'needs a modified sump'...


[Edited on 8/9/15 by johnemms]

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What should I be looking for!

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Sump Sorted.

No leaks yet - I decided to smear RTV into the joints all round the base to be sure and seems to have worked so far!



Description

It is level by the way, just the camera at an angle (before some doom merchant comments!)

You didn't put a load of sealer between sump and block before tightening?

As the excess can drop off inside the sump,Block your oil pick up and knacker your engine.

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Originally posted by CosKev3
You didn't put a load of sealer between sump and block before tightening?

As the excess can drop off inside the sump,Block your oil pick up and knacker your engine.

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