That sounds good Daniel. I been thinking I would leave the crank where the air blew through freely and check that side first,  then rotate the crank until that one shut off and the other side takes air, then do the oil test there. Im thinking Im going to dodge this bullet. I heard the engine run once and it sure sounded good, but I have no big expectations. Just a little hope it will run until I can gather all the preferred parts I want then do a rebuild.

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

Darrell,You do not have to turn anything but the oil pump drive shaft connected to your oil pump to test the oil pressure. However, since your camshaft is "cross drilled' instead of "grooved" at the center journal where the oil goes up to the heads, you will have to turn the cam shaft to test either bank on your block/heads. However, it sounds like you are ok with all of the other tests you have done.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

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

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

Bear in mind that the distributor rotates counter clockwise.

55f100

West Monroe,La.

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

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

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

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 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