Chevy was way behind the times with their 216/early 235 oiling system. The Ford flathead in 1932 had pressure lubed rods, and so did Chrysler's flathead sixes in the 1930's. Charles Kettering designed the Olds/Cadillac OHV V8's that came out in the 1949 model year, but I'm pretty sure Olds, Cad, and Buick had more sophisticated oiling systems in their previous line of engines. Changing the stroke on a spray oiler isn't impossible, but I won't be doing it!
There's nothing really wrong with a spray-oiled engine, as the faster it runs, the more force the oil has to enter the dipper cup on the connecting rod. The only time the "dippers" actually feed from the troughs in the pan is at idle when there's not enough oil volume from the spray nozzles to reach the middle of the crankcase. Just keep the bearing clearances adjusted right and the old style rods will outlast insert bearings. Original equipment GM Babbit alloy is as hard as woodpecker lips- - - - -it dulls a high speed steel cutter bit when I'm machining rods for insert bearings. Reconditioned rods usually have a softer alloy bearing material than OEM rods.
Fun and games!
Jerry
