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All of a sudden I am not getting any oil to my rockers on my 51, 235. I've never got much. I've checked the lines and passages. They appear to be open. The oil galley cover however is dry. The inside of the cover was dry. How does this spring device work?

Glenn,

Glenn,

I have had problems with the small fitting under the side cover. They are VERY small and can plug up easily. I have almost had to drill them out they were so tightly packed!

This line ties into the bottom of the head and feeds the center oiler.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,
I don't have the center bolt oiler . A 51 still used the oil line that runs thru the pushrod compartment up thru the head and attaches to the center brass divider. Also there is no line out of the galley like some 216s. I'm concerned that the spring device in the oil distributer isn't opening.What opens that spring? Oil pressure?

Glenn,

The affair between the two rocker shafts is the center oiler. Does your line run from a fitting on the distribution valve, through the block (water jacket) and up to the center oiler.

Couldn't you disconnect the tube from the distribution valve and see if oil comes out? Your going to tell me you have already done this.

The small line through the water jacket is the item that plugs up. This of course could be opened on both ends and blown through to 'prove' it.

The fittings on either end of the block where the line enters and exits are 'scary fittings'.

I think the pushrod side tube is soldered to the fitting, and the other end has a compression fitting, don't take these apart unless you understand how they are assembled.

From the distribution valve on are 'high crud areas', prone to plugging. This includes the bore of both rocker shafts.

I know you have been into the rocker assembly many times, so this isn't new news! Good luck.

Stuart

Stuart,
Maybe we are talking two different things. I removed the oil line that is inside the pushrod compartment and blew it out. It was not plugged. When I say oil distribution galley I'm speaking of the main oil supply valve and galley on the drivers side of the block. It feeds oil to the rear main and rear camshaft bearing and then on to the oil line in the pushrod compartment and to the rocker oiler. If the passage from the main oil supply galley is plugged, I think I'm screwed.I did disconnect the line at the center oiler and ran the engine. No oil from the line. Any ideas? Also, what does the oil distributor (drivers side) do? The shop manual is unclear.

The supply from the oil pump divides and goes to two places. One feed goes to the block to supply the main bearings etc. The other feed goes to the oil distributor valve, which is external and under a little cover on the driver's side of the block. The valve opens as pressure builds up to normal during startup. When it opens, it feeds oil to th rockers, and to the connecting rod sprayers. You could disconnect the distributor side of the little loop line , start the motor and see if oil runs out. This line only feeds the rockers.

The distributor valve body on my 38 sits external to the block on the drivers side. There is a large spring internally that holds the actual valve against the valve body. The distributer valve has it's own small spring that allows the oil pressure to build before opening and allowing oil to flow to the rocker arms and dipper troughs. While yours isn't exactly the same it should be similar.

If your rocker feed line is open, that valve could be stuck shut. If so it's cleanable & Chevs of the 40s used to carry them if you need a replacement. I used to see them on eBay fairly regularly but I haven't seen one for several months.