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| | | | Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 15 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 15 | Hey gang, had occasion the other day to have my '71 250 Chevy running without the valve cover in place, and found that a steady 2' stream of oil was coming from the #4 exh. pushrod (at idle), all the others would just maintain a puddle on top of the rocker, should I be worried? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | Is it burning oil, or leaking oil? Even on a rebuilt engine I've seen some rockers squirt oil every where while others were more subdued.
As long as they are getting oil, then valve train is quiet, and it isn't an oil burner or leaker....... put the valve cover back on and drive it.
Keeping the oil changed at regular intervals with a good detergent oil might help clean passageways a bit, but as long as oil is flowing, run it.
Now if it does use oil, or the valve train is noisy and can't be quietened by adjustment, then it may be time to go deeper into the engine and maybe even rebuild it. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,194 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,194 | I agree with Roy, if it sounds and runs OK, keep on driving. You might check the push rod and rocker arm on #4 for any unusual wear or gouging. Also, loose rocker arms tend to squirt oil so maybe a quick adjustment check is in order.
Joe | | | | | Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 15 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 15 | Thanks for the input. She's quiet, doesn't use oil and runs fine. I cleaned all the pushrods while I had the cover off and readjusted the valves, didn't find any unusual wear so I'll just let it be for now. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 283 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 283 | This continous stream of oil is not uncommon with these lifters, which were used in the sbc after 1956, when the valve built in the lifter has failed open. This valve is not the chack ball that prevents leak down but one under the pushrod seat that limits the oil flow out to the pushrod and valve componants in the head.
The surest cure is to change the offending lifter but if you are frugal and inquisitive and brave, remove and dismantle(an exercise in itselt on a used lifter)and clean the lifter and you can probably cure it.
If all the lifters squirted like this it would probably lower the oil pressure on the guage but one "squirter" just increases the chances of leakage from the overhead.
However if there is some mist being carried back through the PCV it can increase the oil being consumed.
Run the hale out of it for a while and if it hasn't sealed off change it for self satisfaction-lifters are cheap and readily accessable on these engines.
Bob Taylor
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