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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
N
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
N Offline
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Hey folks,
I'm in the process of getting ready to fire up a completely rebuilt 1962 chevy 261 engine and while priming the system with an old distributor shaft, I noticed that the only place oil was coming to the top of the engine was through the middle of the rocker stand, and doesn't seem to be distributed either direction away from the center. There is a good 40psi of oil pressure, but my worry is that something is hindering the distribution of oil throughout the entire rocker assembly.
What could be going wrong here?

-Nick

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,868
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,868
Are you cranking the engine while you're running the pump? Unless the rocker arms are moving it's not likely the oil will be distributed evenly. Just fire the thing up and don't obsess about it. Pour a little oil over the rocker shafts if you're worried about a dry start.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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Joined: Jul 2010
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N
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Yes, actually I've fired up the engine. Rocker arms are moving, but it seems a lot more dry than I think it ought to be, and as mentioned, virtually no oil away from the center of the rocker shaft.

-Nick

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,868
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,868
Has the rocker assembly been disassembled and cleaned? On a full rebuild, I can't imagine the rocker shafts not getting scrubbed out thoroughly.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
N
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Yep, disassembled and cleaned completely.

-Nick

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,611
P
'Bolter
'Bolter
P Offline
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,611
Are you using the correct connector for your engine, there are several styles. Also, do your rocker arms match the shafts? Are the shafts installed upside down so the oil cant flow out?


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Joined: Jan 2014
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J
'Bolter
'Bolter
J Offline
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,690
Read Pre-68 Dave's article. Not sure if there's anything unique about the 261 rocker oiling, but this should help you understand some potential issues.

http://chev235guy.blogspot.com/search/label/235%20Rocker%20Oiling?m=0

Paul's suggestion about the shaft being upside down is a good one. That would be easy to do. Holes need to go down.


1951 3100
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,270
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,270
Here are a few more photos of 1937-1963 rocker-arm oil-connectors.

Engines might have these changed by owners/shops/mechanics over the years.

Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,074
J
'Bolter
'Bolter
J Offline
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,074
Some of these had a single drilled head bolt for oil to the top. This gets confusing as Chevy kept making changes to this oil path. Read all of pre68Daves info.


It's easier to get forgiveness than permission!
1946 1/2-Ton Chevy
1953 Chevy 3/4-ton Factory Stakebed
Joined: Sep 2001
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,270


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