all new BBM Block and heads but, no oil coming up to pass side rockers ?

[SAcobra427]

Just tried priming my all new 511 with BBM block and heads and i am getting 80 lbs on the gauge but nothing to the pass side rockers. drivers side looks fine. I also rotated the engine around a few times by hand with no change. I removed the rocker arm assy and there is no sign of oil even trying to get to the rockers coming thru the head. At first I thought maybe my old 1/2 drill just wasnt turning fast enough but I just borrowed another one and it did spin faster but same end result. Cam is a Crower hyd. roller. Anybody come across this problem before?

Thanks, Tom

[fekbmax]

Not sure about BBM but some aftermarket blocks you need to be sure the oil passage in the head gasket lines up with the passage in the block.  block

[blykins]

I'm assuming you're oiling up through the head and not through the pushrods.

If you're not getting any oil up to the head feed, you'll have to backtrack and see where the restriction is.   The BBM blocks have a threaded hole where the feed comes out of the deck surface.  If it's not plugged, then it's quite possible that a cam bearing was installed incorrectly.  The BBM blocks use a Side Oiler style bearing, where the feed hole has to line up with the hole in the main saddle and also line up with the hole that leads from the cam tunnel to the block deck.   

Also possible that the #4 cam journal isn't grooved, but that would be a very, very rare occurance.

[SAcobra427]

OK guys thanks for the info, was afraid it was something internal. I was of course ready drop the distributor in and get this thing fired up. What would need to be changed to oil thru the pushrods instead ?

Thanks Guys

[blykins]

It will depend on the rocker arm that you're using.  Only a few will allow oiling through the pushrods.

[SAcobra427]

I have the Harland Sharp S4006NBK setup that are ball - cup

[Stangman]

not a BBM block but had the same thing happening and the stud was tight in the survival heads milled down the stud a couple of thousanths and now good

[SAcobra427]

Well I wish thats all that was wrong here but I have nothing coming out of the head at all, even with the rocker shaft completely removed.

[blykins]

Those rockers will not oil through the pushrods.

If you have a hydraulic cam, you can use my roller tipped non adjustables which will work the HS hardware and they will oil through pushrods.  You’d have to change pushrods as well and also block off oil coming out of drivers side head because you can’t oil through both sources at the same time.  That poses its own issue because you can’t easily restrict a BBM head due to the thread insert blocking the feed hole.  I always grind them down and tap the heads for restrictors but most guys don’t do this before the heads go on the engine.

[pumpbldr]

I would also Start at the Head Stud. Most FE Guys do not know this but. On original Ford OEM Iron head 9 of the 1/2" head bolt holes are one size. The 10th one that feeds the oil is drilled larger. So this is not a problem for ARP Larger shank stud in iron heads. But when Edlebrock and rest of Aluminum aftermarket heads came out. They missed this on the blueprint and drilled everything same size. Thus a Large shank ARP Stud in a small tight hole blocks the oil passage. This will be the case half the time. If you can remove the head easy, drill the head. If engine in the car, turn down the stud. Then go from there. might get lucky.
                               Doug aka pumpbldr
                          Precision Oil Pumps

[SAcobra427]

Ok Brent and Doug,Thanks for the suggestions.  The motor is in the car and I was just about to drop the dist. in it and get it fired up. I have the  ARP head BOLTS, 155-3601 not the studs though, would this pose the same possible restriction ?

Thanks

[Stangman]

Well I wish thats all that was wrong here but I have nothing coming out of the head at all, even with the rocker shaft completely removed.

I understand mine didnt either. Take that one stud out and spin pump with drill see if oil comes up.

[SAcobra427]

I just tried that and still no oil!     I did notice the machine shop did do a little opening of the head bolt hole so it looks like they were aware of the tight bolt problem with the aftermarket heads already.

[frnkeore]

It looks like your next step, is to pull the head and see if any oil is getting past the gasket or coming out of the block, at all

[machoneman]

It looks like your next step, is to pull the head and see if any oil is getting past the gasket or coming out of the block, at all

Yep, pull the head, spin the pump and check that the head gasket hole isn't being masked.