Auto Racing: Engine Oil Priming problem

Question
QUESTION: Dan,

After rebuilding a 350 small block Chevy 360 HP I was ready to prime the oil system like I have done many times before. With my 1/2 HP drill and a priming tool I was getting 80 Lbs, to the gauge. However, all the rockers are not receive oil even after prolonged oiling. I rotated the engine 1/2 turn and then continued the process but it did not help.

The 7 non-flowing rockers are:
#1 E, #1 I, #7 I, #2 I, #4 I, and #8 I;
The #3 I is flowing like an oil well!

I sure hate to disassemble the engine if it isn't needed,
but I am concerned there may be a problem with the cam bearing positioning.

So I would greatly appreciate if you could advise:
1. What else should I try?
2. If there is a problem what could be causing it?
3. What is the best way to remedy the situation?

Thanks for any help.

BRIAN

ANSWER: You should definitely go to someone who has a lot of experience with big V-8s , I don't .

Here are a few things to check though. The wrong head gasket will block the oil flow as it comes up from the cam. So will a clogging in the gallery. You may have to re prime the motor with the intake manifold off to see that all the  bearings are oiling. Check the cam lobes while you're there.  

Since #3 is flowing so well, your answer is bound to be somewhere between the rockers and the block surface. Can you get to any of it without removing the heads ?  Try that first. I've had headaches like that from installing the hoses to the oil cooler backwards. And if you're using an Accusump and  related check valve it will confuse you .

I wish I had better answers for you , but I admit to not having a large knowledge of the big iron.

Best of luck I would like to know what you find - - -ion case we run into this one again


thanks

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dan,

Thanks for the quick answer and the suggestions.

I will give them each a try.

As for your recommendation to, "someone who has a lot of experience with big V-8s", could you recommend someone?
I didn't seem to find anyone on allexperts.com with that expertise.

Thanks again,

BRIAN


ANSWER: I would seek out someone locally that builds racing engines. Look in the yellow page listings for Automotive High Performance, see which ones offer machine shop service.  They will be the ones that can help you.
I have a couple of local people I use for that sort of thing. But no one with a national reputation.

Good luck again.

Dan

OK  I stopped by MY engine machine shop and he showed me a couple of things about a Chevy 350 , I hope that's what you are working upon.

When priming the 350, the opening for the distributor body must be filled. If your priming tool does not have a bushing that fits tightly in that space, priming will NEVER  feed the passenger side of the motor.  

He showed me his priming tool and it had an aluminum bushing located part way up the shaft that takes place of the distributor during the priming process. If you don't have it, it simply isn't going to prime that side.

Hope that's an additional help

Dan Liddy
Sarasota , Florida

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dan,

I am sending you this email since you said you would like to know what the solution was to the lack of oil at some of the lifters when I was priming the engine.

I had dealing with a Don Gould, a real expert in the past at:
http://www.4secondsflat.com/


He solved the problem in just a couple of emails:
There was actually nothing wrong.
This what I did to get the oil to the lifters:
I turned the engine over 1/4 turn at a time, and then ran my drill to do the priming, then another 1/4 turn. . . .
The number 3 cylinder Intake was still pumping out a stream of oil so I placed my finger over the exit hole to block any oil flow while I ran the drill, and magically the number 1 Cylinder Intake started to flow! By the time I had made 4- 1/4 turns they were all of the lifters had oil on their tips!

Thanks again for you help.

BRIAN

Answer
Hummn- - - I guess my overhead cam motors do something like that too. but I actually rotate the cam so that the oil hole id blocked by the rocker arm, however it does oil fairly quickly down the length of the cam (which is hollow) some of our race motors have a spray bar as well. A combersome contraption that uses an exterior line through the valve cover. Looks like cave man stuff.

Thanks for the added info, the next time someone asks me I'll know more.


Dan