The Ford Barn

Crankin · 08-15-2011, 03:30 PM

I have a friend who is having a problem locating the oil drain holes in the upper part of the heads. He has gray smoke on start up. and a lot of oil standing in the head. Are the drain holes in the rear of the heads?

Thanks
Rankin

Ole Don · 08-15-2011, 06:36 PM

The drain holes are on both ends, near the head bolts. Try removing the rocker covers and run a .22 gun cleaning brush down the holes to clear the crud.

Crankin · 08-15-2011, 06:44 PM

Thanks Ole Don,

I will pass this along

Rankin

Y-Blockhead · 08-15-2011, 06:47 PM

That's a good one, a Y-Block with too much oil on the top end

Daves55Sedan · 08-16-2011, 12:48 AM

When I bought my '55 in 1972, the heads were gummed up pretty bad, but the engine had never been touched yet at that time. Oil back in those days wasnt refined as well as it is today. I had to rebuild her in '73 and ever since then I have run two Y'blocks and they run as clean as brand new still today. No clogging and no need for top oilers. Makes me wonder what he is using for oil.

Hoosier Hurricane · 08-16-2011, 06:07 AM

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There may be pieces of broken up valve stem seals clogging the oil drains. Not too unusual for high mileage Y blocks. John

oldbugger · 08-17-2011, 06:27 AM

Back in the 60s my dad learned that if you drilled a 1/4 hole through the center cam journal, right in the oil groove you got plenty of oil to the top end, no need for outside oilers. worked great for years

Ole Don · 08-17-2011, 10:07 AM

At overhaul time, I put in a top name new cam. The groove in the center bearing for the cam would barely catch my thumb nail. I wrapped it in rags and chucked it in the vice, then made the grove twice as wide and twice as deep. I had so much oil on top I had to tap the rocker stands and screw in restrictors.

08-15-2011, 03:30 PM	#1
Crankin Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central NC Posts: 4	56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. I have a friend who is having a problem locating the oil drain holes in the upper part of the heads. He has gray smoke on start up. and a lot of oil standing in the head. Are the drain holes in the rear of the heads? Thanks Rankin

08-15-2011, 06:36 PM	#2
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. The drain holes are on both ends, near the head bolts. Try removing the rocker covers and run a .22 gun cleaning brush down the holes to clear the crud.

08-15-2011, 06:44 PM	#3
Crankin Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central NC Posts: 4	Re: 56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. Thanks Ole Don, I will pass this along Rankin

08-15-2011, 06:47 PM	#4
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,848	Re: 56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. That's a good one, a Y-Block with too much oil on the top end

08-16-2011, 12:48 AM	#5
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: 56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. When I bought my '55 in 1972, the heads were gummed up pretty bad, but the engine had never been touched yet at that time. Oil back in those days wasnt refined as well as it is today. I had to rebuild her in '73 and ever since then I have run two Y'blocks and they run as clean as brand new still today. No clogging and no need for top oilers. Makes me wonder what he is using for oil.

08-16-2011, 06:07 AM	#6
Hoosier Hurricane Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 85	Re: 56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There may be pieces of broken up valve stem seals clogging the oil drains. Not too unusual for high mileage Y blocks. John

08-17-2011, 06:27 AM	#7
oldbugger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Holland Mi Posts: 640	Re: 56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. Back in the 60s my dad learned that if you drilled a 1/4 hole through the center cam journal, right in the oil groove you got plenty of oil to the top end, no need for outside oilers. worked great for years

08-17-2011, 10:07 AM	#8
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 56 V8 292 Oil collecting in head. At overhaul time, I put in a top name new cam. The groove in the center bearing for the cam would barely catch my thumb nail. I wrapped it in rags and chucked it in the vice, then made the grove twice as wide and twice as deep. I had so much oil on top I had to tap the rocker stands and screw in restrictors.