Here it is, I pulled a valve cover and it looks like someone was running tar in this engine...

So what should I do?  What does this likely mean?  What are the options for a guy on a tiny budget just trying to get the engine runnning?  Will running some modern oil in here break up that sludge?

How do I know if the modifcation to get oil to the valvetrain was ever made..I assume if things are this dirty the cam bearing oil passage to the valves is clogged?

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

You can start by taking the rocker shaft apart and cleaning out all the gunge.The shafts are hollow for oil to fill up.The shafts have a plug in each end which you can remove by drilling a small hole in the cap and screw in a sheetmetal screw to pull out the caps.The arms have a hole in the front and back for oil to come out.Coat hanger wire is about the right size to clean out the holes.The passage in the head may or may not be plugged.Once you have the shafts off you can check the passage and let us know by posting on this topic.Once you get it back together run it with fresh oil and see if you have oil to the rockers.You may have to try some engine flush after you get it running to get some of the rest of motor cleaned out.And yes I have seen this before-on mine!The result of not maintaining the motor with regular oil changes.When the Y-block replaced the Flathead owners thought you could just keep adding oil like they did with the Flathead and neglect oil changes.Hope this helps and don't hesitate to ask questions.

  

Do as OLDCARMARK says. Once you have the rocker assemblies off, spin the oil pump (if the oil presently in the engine is okay looking)to see if oil comes up the supply holes in the head.



You can spin the oil pump by pulling the distributor and using a 1/4 inch drive, 1/4 inch deep socket on an extension or extensions in an electric drill (1/2 inch is best) spin the pump counter clock wise (drill in reverse). Tape the socket to the extension to make sure that it does not come off.



If you cannot get oil, try rotating the engine a little bit and try again.



Another thing to try if no oil comes up is to blow pressurized air down the supply hole. Listen for it to come out from inside the engine. This may also clear the passageway (supply)

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

Assuming this engine is still in running shape - try it with the valve covers off and have a look at what's going on. If it still has the oil return tubes open (located at one end of the rocker shaft and pointed down into the engine galley) they should be squirting oil. The Y isn't like a chebbie - you won't get a bath - but try to be on a somewhat level or "nose down" attitude. 

An individual noisy rocker arm can be found and quieted with a gloved finger when running this way.

In the photos, it looks like you may still have some (or all) of the "skinny" original style pushrods. As part of your valve train clean-up, you may want to find a set of the tubular pushrods. They will be a worthwhile addition and are sometimes found for a reasonable price. 

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Along with the a fore mentioned maintenance, you need to check the oil filler cap underside, as it is the only intake for the crankcase venting. It's likely plugged solid with dirt, resulting in no crankcase ventilation, & causing sludge. Clean it well or if not possible, replace it. Then check the drivers side crankcase vent canister on the lower side of the block (if you engine has one?) If so there is a filter screen in there that needs to be clean.

Paul

Just another suggestion-try and buy a shop manual for this car.They are available as original or reprint(Ebay is good) and you will find it VERY useful for mechanical repairs etc.

  

[quote]oldcarmark (10/28/2009)

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The shafts have a plug in each end which you can remove by drilling a small hole in the cap and screw in a sheetmetal screw to pull out the caps.quote]

Thanks OCM!  Once I drill this hole do I need to replace the caps? Or do I leave the holes plugged with sheet metal screw (seems kinda risky to leave 'em in)

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

[quote]paul2748 (10/28/2009)

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Do as OLDCARMARK says. Once you have the rocker assemblies off, spin the oil pump (if the oil presently in the engine is okay looking)to see if oil comes up the supply holes in the head.
quote]

Thanks Paul, where is the oil supply hole in the head?  I have only removed the drivers side valve cover, I see a tube at firewall end of the head, that comes up and then bends down and seems to go into the rocker shaft?  Is that the "supply Tube"?  When I remove the shaft will that pipe come with it and leave a "hole" behind in the head?

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

That is not the "supply tube" it is the overflow tube the oil is supplied to the rockers through the head, take the rocker shaft off the head and you will see a hole that feeds the second (or third tower depending which side of the engine you are on)  that is the hole that needs to be cleared.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

That pipe you see is the drain tube. It dumps the oil into a pushrod hole which goes to the valley and into the crankcase. To see the supply hole, you will have to remove the rockers.



Since you are on a budget, I wouldn't worry too much about the rockers at this point. Squirt some oil in the pushrod cups, slide the rocker arms to the side and squirt some oil on the shaft, and get it running. Once it is running, watch each of those drain tubes. If oil is flowing you are good. If not, then dig deeper and spend the money that has to be spent. Running it for a minute or two will not hurt anything. Really, running it without oil getting to the rockers will not be as bad as you think so long as you remember to oil them manually once or twice a week. I got by doing that for a couple years. Once I did take it apart, the shafts did not look as bad as I had expected.



Remember Heisenberg's Uncertainty principle - when you observe something you change it. Your rocker arms are in perfect shape until you take them apart and look!


Lawrenceville, GA