I have a Y block partially tore down. The rockers, intake, distributer, exhaust manifolds, and oil pump are removed. The heads are on the block. The engine is out of the truck. I want to see if the oil passages to the rocker shafts are open. Is there a way to do this without removing the heads? If they are plugged, is there a way to clean them without removing the heads from the block?  Eventually this engine will be tore down for rebuild, but not yet. I just want it running until then. If I shoot a little kroil oil (penetrating oil) into the oil passage on the heads, where do I look for it to exit?

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

Darrell:The oil will exit the center cam bearing if the passages are clear. Was there any evidence of recent oil on the top surface of the head or in or on the rocker shafts?

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Yes there was sign of oil on top, but very dirty. It was a farm truck and got used hard. The Kroil Oil that I put in the oil passage in the head is slowly dripping out from under the engine. I only put the oil in the side that seemed to have more resistance to air pressure. I guess Im expecting no resistance on air pressure, and for any oil to go out as fast as it goes in? Is that not correct? I have actually got a four barrell manifold, updated distribuer, and a four barrell carb in the works. Eventually I will go thru it with a total build. Just want to see if I can get it running with all the upgraded parts until then. I have another engine with the heads off. When I put air to the holes in the head its obviously no resistance (straight hole). So I tried air in the hole on the block and same thing, no resistance. The block with no heads has everything else installed (cam and crank).

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

Can you hear escaping from under the engine when you used air to check the holes? If so, I would assume there is no blockage


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

Yes Paul I can. Im putting it back together for a test on the manual turning of the distributer. Is there a special tool for turning the shaft with a drill? I have a dizzy I removed and replaced with an upgrade, but it was working when I removed it. I hate to take it apart in case someone wants one.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

There are tools for turning the pump with a drill.  You can also use 1/4" drive sockets and extensions.  Use an extension that locks the socket or tape the socket to the extension to prevent it from falling off.



Lawrenceville, GA

Ok Charlie. So when I get ready to check the pressure, I install the oil pump and oil pan, fill with oil, and give it a turn with the drill by using the extension that fits the oil pump drive shaft? I wont have the rockers in so I tape a couple of glass shot glasses over the supply lines in top of the head and hope for a gusher under each glass. Valley pan, rockers, intake manifold will all be off when I do it. Oil pressure sender will be plugged with sender or temp pressure guage. Anything else I need to watch for?

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

Bear in mind that the distributor rotates counter clockwise.

55f100

West Monroe,La.

oh man good on ya, I woulda blown that one. I got a drill that I can reverse....making note to do that. Thanks


Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

Still working on this, but meanwhile it had been suggested some Y blocks do not send a continiuos supply of oil to the rockers. It was suggested I turn the crank while checking the air pressure in the rocker supply oil holes in the head. I inserted a rubber tip air nozzle into the hole to seal pressure. Both sides showed good resistance. I started turning the crank while air pressure applied. All of a sudden it went from lots of resistance to full flow on one side. I kept turning the crank, that side closed back up and soon after the other side started to blow freely. Im not talking "whisper", Im talking little or no resistance on the air pressure.

I assume my oil supply passages are open. I still want to do the drill test (counter clockwise) to confirm oil pressure. My question is "Will I also have to turn the crank to confirm this test"?

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's