Rocker oil lines

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MikeG

MikeG

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Does it matter which side, (and how were they from the factory) the rocker oil feed lines runs to from the timing chest before it jumps to the other side? I'm making new braided stainless lines and am trying to keep them as far away from vulnerable other bits.
Thanks
 
MikeG said:
Does it matter which side, (and how were they from the factory) the rocker oil feed lines runs to from the timing chest before it jumps to the other side? I'm making new braided stainless lines and am trying to keep them as far away from vulnerable other bits.
Thanks
Click to expand...
usually from right to left, be aware that that the SS lines are like a hack saw and will saw through about anything.
 
jimbo said:
MikeG said:
Does it matter which side, (and how were they from the factory) the rocker oil feed lines runs to from the timing chest before it jumps to the other side? I'm making new braided stainless lines and am trying to keep them as far away from vulnerable other bits.
Thanks
Click to expand...
usually from right to left, be aware that that the SS lines are like a hack saw and will saw through about anything.
Click to expand...
I fit small rubber grommets in the areas where there might be contact, like between the carbs or going up and around the rear engine mounting. Make one radial cut from inside to outside of the grommet and place it on the line. Once positioned, tie wrap it on using the groove. http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/rubber-grommets.php
I will place the loop forward between the head fixing points away from anything that may touch.
Cheers,
Thomas
 
I think you can drill the intake rocker shafts in the center and blank off one side of the feed, eliminating the crossover line.

Since you are custom-making the line.
 
Danno said:
I think you can drill the intake rocker shafts in the center and blank off one side of the feed, eliminating the crossover line...Since you are custom-making the line.
Click to expand...
This seems like the way to go IMHO
 
MikeG said:
Does it matter which side, (and how were they from the factory) the rocker oil feed lines runs to from the timing chest before it jumps to the other side? I'm making new braided stainless lines and am trying to keep them as far away from vulnerable other bits.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Does not matter but usually from right to left.

Ralf
 
If you look at the Earls site they have SS oil lines w/ a coating on it. It comes in clear, black or smoke. When I made up mine (prior to finding the Earls product) I purchased -3AN SS line from Pegasus and they had a heavy duty shrink wrap available. I had my rockers drilled so I have a single feed to the right and then I connected a gauge to the left side. 30 degree banjos seem to work better on the right side and a straight banjo seems to work better on the left.
Pete
 
Deets55 said:
........ I had my rockers drilled so I have a single feed to the right and then I connected a gauge to the left side. .....Pete
Click to expand...
+1 Now that's what I'm talkin' about Pete :mrgreen: any chance you could post a photo of the left side of your head.
 
+1 Now that's what I'm talkin' about Pete :mrgreen: any chance you could post a photo of the left side of your head.[/quote]


CJ,
Not much to see, just some SS line and a banjo.
Pete
 

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Thanks for posting that picture Pete. That looks like a nice and clean installation of an oil pressure gauge, I like the look of this better than the one that runs up thru the center of the steering head due to the line routing.
 
CJ,

Thanks. I went for the simple route. The ignition switch console really limited mounting locations. I was worried that the line hanging out in space would be an issue but it turned out pretty good. One of these days I'm going to get an electric pressure gauge to work but I have too much on my plate right now to fool around with that.

Pete
 
Being that the left side head inherently is at the end of the pressure, would the drilling of the intake rocker spindles, eliminating the cross over line, be a more direct and more efficient route for oil to feed the drive side head? Or is aesthetics a persuading factor for this procedure? Or is it a non issue being that we are not talking of flow, but pressure?
 
pete.v said:
Being that the left side head inherently is at the end of the pressure, would the drilling of the intake rocker spindles, eliminating the cross over line, be a more direct and more efficient route for oil to feed the drive side head? Or is aesthetics a persuading factor for this procedure? Or is it a non issue being that we are not talking of flow, but pressure?
Click to expand...

pete.v

I really can't answer for anyone else but my self. I went with the drilled rockers because the engine was apart for a rebuild. The SS cross over was always a pain to run and not come in close contact with something, so I chose to eliminate it. I installed the gauge to check for oil pressure on start up after the rebuild, I figured it would be cheap insurance. I could see the oil flow in the oil tank, and also see oil pressure at the head. As far as oil flow, I'm not a fluids engineer but my thinking is the size of the oil line from the pump to the head will dictate volume whether the oil flows through a crossover or a drilled rocker.
Most importantly there is the Comstock factor. Jim did a beautiful job on my head and if drilled rockers work for him, it's fine by me too. Thanks Jim !
This is the only engine I have rebuilt since I was 24 yrs old and built a 860 Trident. I depended on this forum and especially Comnoz for input. My knowledge and experience is limited so I depend on the experts.

Pete
 
OK then...what is involved in drilling the rocker shafts? Sounds like the better way to go.
 
MikeG said:
OK then...what is involved in drilling the rocker shafts? Sounds like the better way to go.
Click to expand...

The procedure would be to remove the rocker shafts, break the hardened surface on the shaft end and then drill both intake shafts along the long axis. Unfortunately without a good carbide burr(s), good drill bits and a good drill press it could be a difficult job. My head was at Jim's so I had him do the work. IMO you have a couple of choices, contact Jim and have him drill two new (or maybe good used shafts) and have him ship them to you, send him your shafts and have him drill them, attempt it yourself ( it's definitely possible depending on your skill set and tool situation) , or find a locale machine shop. There is a thread on the forum somewhere where Jim goes over the steps. Hope this helps.

Pete
 
Deets55 said:
MikeG said:
OK then...what is involved in drilling the rocker shafts? Sounds like the better way to go.
Click to expand...

The procedure would be to remove the rocker shafts, break the hardened surface on the shaft end and then drill both intake shafts along the long axis. Unfortunately without a good carbide burr(s), good drill bits and a good drill press it could be a difficult job. My head was at Jim's so I had him do the work. IMO you have a couple of choices, contact Jim and have him drill two new (or maybe good used shafts) and have him ship them to you, send him your shafts and have him drill them, attempt it yourself ( it's definitely possible depending on your skill set and tool situation) , or find a locale machine shop. There is a thread on the forum somewhere where Jim goes over the steps. Hope this helps.

Pete
Click to expand...

Thanks..I have the tools, no problem there. Just wondering #1 does the head have to come off to remove spindles? and #2 no seal of any kind between the shafts once drilled?
 
Deets55 said:
pete.v said:
Being that the left side head inherently is at the end of the pressure, would the drilling of the intake rocker spindles, eliminating the cross over line, be a more direct and more efficient route for oil to feed the drive side head? Or is aesthetics a persuading factor for this procedure? Or is it a non issue being that we are not talking of flow, but pressure?
Click to expand...

pete.v

I really can't answer for anyone else but my self. I went with the drilled rockers because the engine was apart for a rebuild. The SS cross over was always a pain to run and not come in close contact with something, so I chose to eliminate it. I installed the gauge to check for oil pressure on start up after the rebuild, I figured it would be cheap insurance. I could see the oil flow in the oil tank, and also see oil pressure at the head. As far as oil flow, I'm not a fluids engineer but my thinking is the size of the oil line from the pump to the head will dictate volume whether the oil flows through a crossover or a drilled rocker.
Most importantly there is the Comstock factor. Jim did a beautiful job on my head and if drilled rockers work for him, it's fine by me too. Thanks Jim !
This is the only engine I have rebuilt since I was 24 yrs old and built a 860 Trident. I depended on this forum and especially Comnoz for input. My knowledge and experience is limited so I depend on the experts.

Pete
Click to expand...

Thanks Pete, no worries.
So I sort of agree that it would be a good thing to do, maybe, on the next time I happen to get into valve train. Otherwise it seems to be a "if it isn't broke don't fix it "kind of a thing and in no way something the "needs" to be done. I have good lines now and run an Old Britts gauge off that side as well, so cleaning up the crossover pipe is really not much of a concern for me.
Thanks again, Pete
Pete.v
 
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