My conclusion to the cause of engine failure was fuel-starvation, caused by the hot oil blast temporarily killing the only working fuel pump.

Background:

I had reconfigured my fuel pumps from Tee’d in/out horizontal to fuel manifold-in/parallel-out vertical … this arrangement probably caused one pump to be fuel-starved.  I now know what was wrong with the new configuration.  I tested the pumps yesterday and indeed one was dead.  There were no fuel leaks period.  When I toggled the working fuel pump in-flight 2 times, the oil-out hose blew off the engine connector.  Engine quit and prop stopped within about 2 minutes.  I now suspect that the exhausted 80 psi oil either temporarily shorted out the working pumps’ electrics or the hot oil bath caused a in-flight shut-down of the pump, or possibly even vapor-lock.  My oil temperature was 150-160F at the time; therefore, the outlet temperature would have been 180-190F.

Any comments on what happens when EFI pumps get blasted with hot oil?

It’s a hard pill to swallow that I made a mistake with my fuel pumps.  I knew it and was headed home to rectify the situation … didn’t quite make it … the secondary failure of the oil line coming off was totally unexpected and really ruined my day.

The engine and re-drive both turn over just fine and the engine has same compression as before.  Not sure what the internals will look like; have asked Tracy for his input on the re-drive; expect engine will likely need all bearings replaced, most other parts are likely okay.

Jeff