Thread: 454 lack of oil on valve train - Suggestions

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Originally Posted by Scooting

Hi, not ignoring anyone's comments. I am waiting on catching the owner to tell him about them. It might be the weekend before we get together. I am willing to plascit-gauge the mains and rods if he wants to pull it back apart. I really don't expect to find a large difference there. I found out the lifter bores were honed. I don't think a measurement was made of them. I do recall the lifter did not seem loose in the block - can I tell .002 give? Good question.
Pat, we ran wires from the rear main up to the cam and did not find any sign of blockage. After I know more, I may give you a call, thanks.
Jerry, I never checked the front plugs other than when he had them out. I am guessing the .025 holes are for oiling the timing chain area. Is that correct?
I hope to stay with this problem until a solution is found and report back. I just hate it when something gets fixed and the op never states what was the cure.

the main lifter feed holes there two ...one feeds each lifter bank and is under the number 5 cam bearing so less you take out the number 5 cam bearing your not going to know nothing about if someone use oil restrictors in the 360 grooved housing bore is part that make s the lifter get oil a wire to mains to cam bearing just checks that the number 5 cam bearing gets oil not the lifters... the small hole in 1/4 npt end plugs are to keep air out of oil this helps keep the lifters from making noise not to feed the timming chain but engine builder have used it for that when on a timing set that has thrust bearing on timing gear . GM it was to keep air out

Hi Pat, We removed the number 5 cam bearing (one at the back of the block) and it was the one we put wire and air pressure to from the oil pump. Did not note any restrictors. I am a little confused. I understand that only means oil was to cam. Where should we check to make sure the oil groove was to supply the lifter passages? Sorry I am being a bit dense. I really don't think the front lifter passages had holes, I will ask that when I see the owner. Thank you for the help.

Originally Posted by Scooting

Hi Pat, We removed the number 5 cam bearing (one at the back of the block) and it was the one we put wire and air pressure to from the oil pump. Did not note any restrictors. I am a little confused. I understand that only means oil was to cam. Where should we check to make sure the oil groove was to supply the lifter passages? Sorry I am being a bit dense. I really don't think the front lifter passages had holes, I will ask that when I see the owner. Thank you for the help.

in the groove there two holes going from groove if engine is up side down they would be at around 11:00 for one and the other at 1:00 clock a wire not going to cut it them holes stock are about 3/16to1/4 holes there and need to be this size to feed lifters. there is no cross over on the galleys the front two 1/4 npt plugs under the timming set can be drilled or not that not going to help or hurt what you have going on

Was this ever resolved??

All items that were noted by posters were checked out. Changing the oil grade to 5w let the valve train oil in total after a minute of firing. Owner then found a 174 B&M blower setup, added an 850 carb and installed it back in the boat. Jetted the carb per another forum (boat guys). First test run went good with mild application of power, elected to put the power to it. Ran strong at 4800 rpm trimmed out. Then after about 3 minutes of pull, it began to get rough and before you know it oil was coming out the engine. Shut her down and brought it home. New tear-down showed number 1 forged piston was melting into the ring land. All other aspects of the bearings and valve train did not appear to have harm nor show any lack of oil contact. Basically he ran it lean and melted it. New piston is on it's way and carb jets will be rich and worked down to proper.

Not my motor but it appears to be oiling ok and has become a giant learning tool for the owner.
We will see what happens next.