The engine in my car, a 292 runs OK.
I'd like to know how to determine whether
the rocker arms are getting oil in the 
proper fashion? I have not removed the 
valve covers yet.
What do I need to look for?
Thanks
Jim

Everything under the valve cover should be equally wet.



Lawrenceville, GA

Thanks Charlie
If I remove the covers and start the engine, is there a particular area where I might see oil coming out?
As in the rocker shaft ends?
Thanks
Jim

Jim;
There should be oil coming out from under the rocker arms and lubricating the top of the valve springs and valve stems. The ends of the rocker shafts should have small plugs in them if I remember right. This allows for some pressurization in the shaft to force oil to the rockers. There is also a lubrication tube attached to the rear rocker stand on one head to lubricate the distributor drive gear and on the front rocker stand on the other head to lubricate the timing chain and gear. Some guys slightly crimp the ends of the tubes to increase the pressure to the rockers, but it's probably not really necessary on a daily street driver. On my blown stroker motor I actually tapped the ends of these tubes and installed a small set screw in which I drilled a small hole. Hope this helps.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

You should see oil coming out of the tubes.  The tube will be at the front of the passenger's side of the engine and the back of the driver's side of the engine.



Lawrenceville, GA

If you see oil coming out of the tubes at the ends but no wetness at the rocker arm/pushrod  then you should remove the assembly and clean out the tubes and the holes in the rocker arms.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Was wondering about this too.  Same on a 272 ('55) I assume?  Also, how messy might it be to start it with one or the other valve cover off;  Will it spray oil all over or does it stay well within the head/rocker area?

There will just be a dribble down each rocker onto the spring. And a bit of oil collecting at the bottom of the head. No big spray like a scrub, just oil in the right place and amount.



Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Thanks. 

I just remember on the 289/302s I've worked on in the past, we had a old valve cover with the top chopped out so we could adjust the (hydraulic) lifters.  If you didn't have that then yes, you had a huge mess.  Do one side then move over to the other side. 

I have almost no experience with the Scrubbies.

At idle, the Y engines with the valve covers off will not be too messy to observe the oil coming from the rocker arms.  As mentioned, it will be just a dribble coming from each rocker at the shaft and the upper rocker oil holes that puts oil to the top of the valve and pushrod.  If you speed the engine up, it will sling oil over the edge of the valve cover rail assuming the rockers are indeed receiving oil.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)