Do We Have a Top End Oiling Problem Here?

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Do you only have 1 oiling hole per rocker as shown in the picture in post #38 or are there 2? I there are more than one shoe a picture of the other in relation to the bolt hole near by.
 
From post #46 (this is partial quote, please see post $46 for complete update):

dibbons said:
Gary at Rockers Unlimited agreed we should see a dribble of oil coming from the oil hole on top of the rocker arm and we don't. He said we need .002" oil clearance and we have .004" according to my measurements (so we should be good there). Gary offered to groove the inside of the rockers a little more to direct more oil to the upper hole or he could drill a second hole in a pair of new banana groove shafts for me. I told him I would investigate further and let him know.

What I still don't know is if Gary merely substituted the shafts I originally gave him back then with some rocker shafts he already had in stock or if he returned mine after having polished/refurbished them.
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dibbons said:
I agree, but then again, the bronze bushings I have are grooved 180° which pretty much serves the same purpose I would think.
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Well, not really. At least not in my view. Nanner grooves are on the SHAFT, while the groove is on the bushing. That's a difference that cannot be overlooked. I don't know man. On every single factory engine I've torn down that had adjustable rockers, big or small block had nanner grooves. I've seen others say they've seen them without. Was one correct and the other not? I don't know. I know which I'd rather have.
 
Gary said the factory incorporated them (banana grooves) at a later date. Not sure when that would have been. I don't believe I'm seen them on my '65 models.
 
I would inspect that you have the shafts oriented correctly and that you have proper clearance at the oil holes from the heads up into the shafts. Either of those things could affect oiling greatly.
 

RustyRatRod said:
On every single factory engine I've torn down that had adjustable rockers, big or small block had nanner grooves. I've seen others say they've seen them without. Was one correct and the other not? I don't know. I know which I'd rather have.
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most all of the early (pre 67) 2bbl mo-trees i've pulled apart have had plain jane shafts.
 
Yes the shafts shown in this thread are early shafts. The banana grooves spread the oil across the load bearing area in the rocker arm. The grooves on the bushing Gary has added are to channel oil pressure near the holes for the pushrod oiling and closer to the top hole for valve stem oiling.
The later 273 shafts added the banana grooves and the second shaft hole for pushrod oiling.

I would like to see the older versus newer 273 shafts to see if they moved the oiling hole for the load bearing area of the rocker arm as an additional modification.
 
Rocket said:
Yes the shafts shown in this thread are early shafts. The banana grooves spread the oil across the load bearing area in the rocker arm. The grooves on the bushing Gary has added are to channel oil pressure near the holes for the pushrod oiling and closer to the top hole for valve stem oiling.
The later 273 shafts added the banana grooves and the second shaft hole for pushrod oiling.

I would like to see the older versus newer 273 shafts to see if they moved the oiling hole for the load bearing area of the rocker arm as an additional modification.
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Thanks man! As far as I know, you are the first person I know of to actually nail that down so specifically. Moochas grassy ***.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I agree 100% when the ductile iron rockers are used, but I've seen some people say they aren't necessary. I can't say I agree with that. That's real close tolerances from rocker bore or bushing to shaft. Seems like there has to be a way to get oil moving there. But what the heck do I know? lol
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I bought a set of used 273 rockers with hydraulic shafts...no Bueno.
 
Update: I turned the driver's side rocker arm shaft 180 degrees from where it was previously installed (was notch toward the carb) and idled the engine for a couple of minutes. At first, nothing to report. A couple of minutes later, smoke arose from the exhaust manifold after oil began dripping from the top hole of the rocker arms. What a beautiful sight to behold!

I don't know the manufacturer/origin of these shafts, but the I don't believe the notch is the factory shape nor placed in the factory position.

I guess I should have known the oil holes should point toward the valve springs, lesson learned. And for me this became a fun but stressful thread here. At least I found we are, without a doubt an extremely helpful, considerate, community of classic automobile enthusiasts. Thank you everyone for participating.

I'm still just a little surprised that no oil at all would spurt from the upper holes even with the shaft clocked erroneously. Hopefully the two hour drive I made recently did not cause permanent damage to any components. Now just have to switch the passenger side rocker arm shaft.

IMG_0822.JPG


IMG_0823.JPG
 
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Congrats! I forget, did your shafts have 1 or 2 oiling holes?
Thankfully someone on B bodies caught it and you dug into it.
How about a pic of the other side similar to Jadaharabi Pic before you put it back together? Be a great reference.

shaftheasd shot.jpg
 
Right from Jada
Jadaharabi said:
Left and down with the notch. later ones was left and facing the intake side of the head.

So the driver side notch is at the front of the motor and the passanger side notch is at the rear.
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And a thread with lots of good info. With only 1 hole, I would be very tempted to get a pr with 2 holes.
They could be hydraulic?
Take a pic with notch and oiling hole with straw like Jada did.
Stock rocker shaft oil hole orientation
 
Do you oil pressure through the lifters, pushrod and adjusters?
If so, it seems the oil hole in the shaft might be better pointed towards the springs?
 
Yep I noticed that. I wonder if those are hydraulic shafts?
Comparing to Jada pic, in #66, if the mount holes are at 12/6 o'clock, and the crescent notch approx 9 oclock, the oil hole would be at about 8?
Put a want ad for ones with banana grooves and be done with it. Maybe try Gary and see if he has a pair? He may take the ones you have in trade?
I have some shafts at home I'll chk this weekend for reference purposes.
dibbons said:
I just noticed something: the notch on these rocker arm shafts line up to the oil holes!
View attachment 1716541024

View attachment 1716541025

View attachment 1716541026
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MOPAROFFICIAL said:
Well that's wrong and not stock location that's for sure. They should be down and towards the valve/spring. 7-8 o'clock
Click to expand...
 
They should be down, bottom of the rocker. When a rocker shaft shows wear, it's at the bottom of the rocker shaft. Starting to get lost in notch this way, pointed at the valve spring etc. The shaft can only go in two ways, and you don't want them pointed up.
 
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