I need some help on how best to route the oil line to the rockers. The engine is from a 1951 3100. The manual says to bend the line straight up and thru the head when the head is installed This does not make sense to me because the hole in the head for the line to pass thru is just past the center of the head but the line exits the block much further to the rear. So the line has to be either routed on the diagonal or go thru a series of right angle bends to move it to the hole in the head. It would seem routing on the diagonal makes the most sense. Is this correct? Also, do you route the line to the outside of the pushrods or to the inside? I hope this makes sense. Thanks for your help!
I don't have a pic which is surprising since I've had the 216 side cover off of my 49 216 3 times. I did replace the line and matched it's placement to the broken line that was in it. I don't know if it was the original line or if it had been replaced before.
Just as the line exits the block in the push rod gallery it needs to make a hard 90 degree bend towards the front of the engine. Run the line just outside of the cyl #4 intake and exhaust push rods then make a 90 degree turn up towards the hole in the head where it will pass and connect to the center section of the rocker shaft. Be EXTREMELY careful when making those 2 90's. The line is soft and bends easily. Also be advised that there is very little clearance between the line and those two push rods and side cover so test fit before final assembly. I replaced the line in-truck and I figured I had close to 4 hrs in the job. Good luck Dave
I just did mine recently. If you look at the cover you will see that there are contours that will give the line some space if you take advantage of them.
Before you pull the old pipe out of the block, do yourself a favor and run a fine wire through the old pipe all the way past the other side of the block where the oil distributor valve is. As you pull the old pipe out, the fine wire is left behind to be used as a guide to fish the new pipe back through the block. You can cut off the 90 degree bends of the old pipe under the side cover prior to running the wire through, making it easier to feed the wire. Carl
Last edited by 52Carl; 04/12/201712:35 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
From the '38 shop manual. Yours should be about the same.
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