The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1951 216 No Oil At Rocker Shaft Oil Line

Recently I purchased a 1951 3100 P/U with a 216. The engine ran, but was noisey in the valve train and showed water contamination in the oil. I pulled the valve cover, the rocker shaft assembly was bone dry (no oil), I disconnected the rocker shaft oil supply line at the rocker shaft, started the engine and no oil. I am suspecting that the oil pressure regulator that controls oil flow to this line is defective. Can anyone give me info on this assembly? The manual does not cover it, it only vaguely mentions a relief valve within the oil pump. The oil pressure gauge indicates 15psi when running, but no oil flow at the rocker shaft line.
(What a weird system! I have never seen an oil line passing through the engine block laterally via a water jacket? absolutely ridiculouse) Any info on this oil pressure/flow regulator will be appreciated.
I am suspecting that the water/oil mix issue is not related and probably is a head gasket issue.

Since your oil pump seems to be working I'd guess the line you refer to is plugged. You can try cleaning it out but I'd recommend replacing it. You can get a new assembly from about any of the repro parts sellers. It's a fairly straight forward job.

Tiny: Thanks for the input, but the line was clear from the pressure regulator (on the lower engine block left side) all the way to the rocker shaft.
I have however ordered a replacement tube/line assembly and will replace it because it shows a little chaffing where it had been in contact rubbing against a push rod.

If the line is clear it's possibly a blockage inside the block between the oil pump and external line. It looks like time to pull the pan & oil pump to give things a good cleaning. If the rockers have been running dry it's likely time for a rocker arm rebuild too.

Will,
that valve is called the oil distributor valve. When the motor is first starting, the valve is closed and oil does not flow to the rockers or the connecting rod dipper sprayers. As the pressure builds up, the valve opens and allows flow to both. If that valve is not opening, the rods will not get lubricated properly. You can check the passgeway to the rocker line by taking the small plate off and removing the distributor valve. You can then fish through the rear hole in the valve cavity over to where the line is attached. This operation does not involve removing the pan.

I didn't think the external oil distribution valve was used after about 1940. I've seen pics of later engines that didn't have it but I don't know for sure.

Just did some checking & you are correct. The distributor valve was changed in 40 & used until 53. Can't say I didn't learn anything today.