External oiling question
Stock big blocks actually did have a designed-in-by-Mopar lube system deficiency created by a combination of the 187 pan and the total volume of oil available for the system. It didn't normally show up in regular driving, but it was there. The system used enough oil in normal operation including whatever was up under the valve covers to uncover the pickup under acceleration when oil pushed to the rear of the pan. If you were running it hard a quart low they could easily suffer some damage.
It was addressed in the HP engines with windage trays and they started putting baffles in the pans at some point, but even so it didn't help much. Overfilling them was the best approach.
I saw it on an oil pressure gauge - all the proof I needed.
