FE oiling through the pushrods

[PLemoine]

I have a set of Jesel rockers that oil through the pushrods. What mods would be required to run these on a Sideoiler? Lifter recommendation?

[XR7]

Most side oiler's lifter galleys are not drilled for hydraulic lifters, although a few later blocks are. Most all aftermarket block are drilled. If yours is drilled, then it will oil through the pushrods fine. If they are not drilled, you have to have a machine shop drill the galleys full length both sides. I have a center oiler 427 and it wasn't drilled (solid lifter only). I had a machine shop drill them and use T&D race rockers that require oiling through the pushrods. You will want to run a restrictor in the cross feeds, something like .060 to .075. I have used Morel and Crower roller lifters, BAM would be a good choice as well.  What block do you have?

[Stangman]

XR7 curious as to what oil pump you are using with your center Oiler after drilling. I also had my block drilled and my oil pressure is low due to bleed off at lifter so I’m told. I had a standard oil pump and I had to switch to a high volume. I’m using 15-50 oil and hot at idle I’m at 15-20 at 900 in gear. I put it in neutral when the engine is hot so that doesn’t happen. I did just get a converter because my cam is loading down at idle but I’m wondering if I had to bush the lifter bores. If I new I was going to have this problem I wouldn’t have drilled it. So I am curious what your oil pressure is. And I think it’s good for PLemoine to know.

[blykins]

XR7 curious as to what oil pump you are using with your center Oiler after drilling. I also had my block drilled and my oil pressure is low due to bleed off at lifter so I’m told. I had a standard oil pump and I had to switch to a high volume. I’m using 15-50 oil and hot at idle I’m at 15-20 at 900 in gear. I put it in neutral when the engine is hot so that doesn’t happen. I did just get a converter because my cam is loading down at idle but I’m wondering if I had to bush the lifter bores. If I new I was going to have this problem I wouldn’t have drilled it. So I am curious what your oil pressure is. And I think it’s good for PLemoine to know.

Drilling the block doesn't make it any more different than an aftermarket block or a side oiler that's hydraulic-capable.  If you're having oil pressure issues, it's not because the block is drilled. 

15-20 psi at idle in gear is perfectly fine.  That's more than enough.   

[PLemoine]

XR7,

I have a C5AE-H block. I’ll have to check if the oil passage is drilled.

[XR7]

I am using a POP blueprinted HV pump. I had to change the bypass spring because I had too much oil pressure... pegged the gauge on cold start ups and 60 pounds at idle. I blocked the relieve valve in the block as well, I have 35 pounds at idle and about 75 at RPM now. I restricted the lifter feed galleys otherwise the T&D rockers needle bearings will flood the heads. I used Morel lifters and had to hone my block to fit as they are a little larger diameter. I agree with Brent that the drilling of the oil passage shouldn't have anything to do with low oil pressure. If your lifter bores are big, and/or you aren't restricting the lifters, they can leak a good amount of oil.  

images of blocks not drilled and drilled lifter galleys. On a non drilled block you also have to drill from the top galley down to the lifter galleys in the valley toward the back of the block.

[Stangman]

Like I said I switched to a HV pump but by the time I did that it was cool out and the car was staying at like 180. I just fear that when it’s hot out the oil pressure will be like 15. I had to rest my foot lightly on gas with the B pump or it would have gone under 15. I alway had 22-24 at idle at 850 rpm in gear. I’m just a little nervous. As it is even with this pump I put it in neutral at lights. In neutral at idle (about 1050) I have 22-25 lbs. I don’t know I was told with my new converter the engine won’t lug down and it will be fine but with a brand new motor with normal clearances it just seems weird to me.
Thanks for the reassurances but it just seems low. What’s going to happen when the clearances open up a little with time.

[Jb427]

mine is just like XR7 im running t&d race rockers and POP HV pump i ran a .080 hole restrictor in each lifter feed mine is running 35-40 at idle hot and 70-75 at rpm cold start im at 70ish
i just added an oil cooler to mine.