The Ford Barn

KEN2939 · 04-30-2024, 02:28 PM

The distributor broke in the head of my 29 A. Had to remove the head to extract the broken piece. When removing the valve cover I noticed a hole on the inside of the front block. I can see the cam gear. Nothing appears broken, in fact no sludge at all. Everything looks real good. Is that normal and why is it there. Engine was running good with no noise.

JayJay · 04-30-2024, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEN2939

The distributor broke in the head of my 29 A. Had to remove the head to extract the broken piece. When removing the valve cover I noticed a hole on the inside of the front block. I can see the cam gear. Nothing appears broken, in fact no sludge at all. Everything looks real good. Is that normal and why is it there. Engine was running good with no noise.

Assuming you’re talking about the hole at the front of the oil galley. Yes it’s normal, to allow a bit of oil spray to lube the cam gear teeth.

If you mean a hole in the bottom of the oil galley allowing you to see the gear at the middle of the camshaft (drives the oil pump), I’m not aware of a normal hole there.

KEN2939 · 04-30-2024, 03:04 PM

IMG_0071.jpg please see photo

Keith True · 04-30-2024, 03:22 PM

Thats normal.It is just cast in,no need to finish it off.It just handles the overflow of oil,and spills it over onto the cam gear.

KEN2939 · 04-30-2024, 03:34 PM

Thanks, I have a 29, 30, and 31. First time engine repair. Love the Ford Barn

Gene F · 04-30-2024, 04:31 PM

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Ken, I hope you are a member of the national club, and your local chapter...?

Ya know, it would not hurt to put your state on your profile... States are big places.

Bob from Northport · 04-30-2024, 05:33 PM

I'm just curious- How did the distributor break????

JayJay · 04-30-2024, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEN2939

Attachment 541506 please see photo

Yup, normal.

nkaminar · 05-01-2024, 06:07 AM

I remember reading that the hole was broken through with a hammer after the block was cast and that is the reason it is so rough.

Bob Bidonde · 05-02-2024, 08:04 AM

That hole establishes the amount of motor oil in the forward dam of the valve chamber that lubricates the front main bearing and the front camshaft bearing. The bottom of the hole should not go below the top of the dam in the chamber.

04-30-2024, 02:28 PM	#1
KEN2939 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 20	Hole inside front block The distributor broke in the head of my 29 A. Had to remove the head to extract the broken piece. When removing the valve cover I noticed a hole on the inside of the front block. I can see the cam gear. Nothing appears broken, in fact no sludge at all. Everything looks real good. Is that normal and why is it there. Engine was running good with no noise.

04-30-2024, 03:04 PM	#3
KEN2939 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 20	Re: Hole inside front block IMG_0071.jpg please see photo

04-30-2024, 03:22 PM	#4
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,003	Re: Hole inside front block Thats normal.It is just cast in,no need to finish it off.It just handles the overflow of oil,and spills it over onto the cam gear.

04-30-2024, 03:34 PM	#5
KEN2939 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 20	Re: Hole inside front block Thanks, I have a 29, 30, and 31. First time engine repair. Love the Ford Barn

04-30-2024, 04:31 PM	#6
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,001	Re: Hole inside front block Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ken, I hope you are a member of the national club, and your local chapter...? Ya know, it would not hurt to put your state on your profile... States are big places.

04-30-2024, 05:33 PM	#7
Bob from Northport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670 Posts: 952	Re: Hole inside front block I'm just curious- How did the distributor break???? __________________ Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan

05-01-2024, 06:07 AM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,966	Re: Hole inside front block I remember reading that the hole was broken through with a hammer after the block was cast and that is the reason it is so rough. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.