FE Block Oil Mods

[blykins]

IMO, the benefit from a roller cam bearing is more oil control.  Since the bearings are only oiled by splash, all the oil that's normally headed for the cam bearings from the main feed is kept in the mains. 

I will say this...even with 830 lb valve springs, an engine with roller cam bearings will roll over by hand without much effort.  Just not sure if it's measurable on a dyno or in the car, since a cam in a normal situation would be riding on a wedge of oil. 

[turbohunter]

I'm glad the cam bearing question came up.
In a side oiler, if roller cam bearings are being used, is there no reason for the cam oil galleries since the cam is splash oiled? Or would you neck the galleries down?

[cammerfe]

With a side oiler and roller cam bearings, there is no need for cam oiling passages.

KS

[blykins]

Right, there's no where for the oil to go.....it hits the bearing cage of the roller bearing.

If you're talking about the lifter galleys, then I would still leave those open for the lifters/pushrods/rockers to get oil.  Roller cam bearings won't allow oiling through the heads on a side oiler, unless you carve a groove under the bearing for the oil to get around and head upwards.

[turbohunter]

I was speaking about the cam as I am not at all familiar with roller cam bearing construction.
Does the cage of the roller bearing block of the oil passage anyway, so no need to plug?
Or would the oil just pour through with nothing to regulate it.

Looks like we're writing and editing at the same time. Ok I get it now. Thanks

[turbohunter]

BTW, I sat out in my garage the other day with my new block and a long zip tie trying to make sure I understand the side oiler oiling system.
There's not to much online about the ins and outs of it. Does anyone know a good piece of reference material? Just trying to make sure I understand all the finer points.

[machoneman]

BTW, I sat out in my garage the other day with my new block and a long zip tie trying to make sure I understand the side oiler oiling system.
There's not to much online about the ins and outs of it. Does anyone know a good piece of reference material? Just trying to make sure I understand all the finer points.

Strangely enough, this Chris Craft link does show a neat Ford diagram on a side oiler's galley path, down a few posts:

http://commanderclub.com/forum/topics/427-difference-between-a-side-oiler-and-top-oiler

[cammerfe]

Even in otherwise excellent posts such as the CC info, you'll notice errors such as the one post says that cross-bolts came (only) with side-oilers. OOPS!!!

KS

[machoneman]

Yes Ken, you are quite right. I've found that it's rare to find almost any series of FE posts where everything is factually correct!

I've often said, on the other Forum, we should have a page where only fine-tooth combed details should be posted, not subject to dispute or change, for all FE'ers to use. 

[turbohunter]

Let me ask you guys another question regarding side oilers.
On the front lower driver side there is a threaded hole that lines up with the side gallery which services the mains (see picture).
Is this just left over from drilling the side gallery?

[cammerfe]

In a word, Yes, I believe it is.

KS

[WConley]

Correct!  That is from the gun-drilling operation for the side-oiler gallery.  I've seen the same tooling for other engine families and it's pretty cool.

[blykins]

The oiling path is different depending on the block. 

Your aftermarket blocks do it several different ways.  The BBM blocks have a galley that runs up the front of the block diagonally (you can see it in your picture).  It's an offshoot from the main side galley and runs up to the lifter valley like a staircase.....diagonally one way, then diagonally back the other way to meet the center lifter galley.  Your front plugs in the lifter valley will be cleanouts for those.  From there, the oil runs back to the back, into the crossover, then back towards the front to feed the lifters.  Of course the mains/rods/cam are fed by each individual galley branching off from the "side oiler" galley running along the side of the block.

Your Pond blocks will not have that front diagonal passage.  The first diagonal passage will take off from the main galley and head up, but it's a blind hole and stops near the top of the block.  It does not connect with the passages in the lifter valley.  Instead, the oil runs down the side, feeding the mains/rods/cam, then up the rear of the block, and to the front in the lifter galleys.

[turbohunter]

Thank you guys very much.
Brent that's what I was looking for as the oil path on this block (BBM) didn't match up with the online diagrams.
Ok one more question. I plan on calling Doug to ask him this but the plug that POP makes for this hole is very loose in the BBM block. I know that it is a special Ford thread in the original blocks and I'm assuming that BBM has changed the thread. Haven't had time to match it up yet. Any experience with this?

[blykins]

3/8" NPT. 

Also, BBM includes a threaded hole in the rear of the block that is supposed to make it look like an original S/O block oil pressure bypass....but it's totally non-functional....so just plug it.