Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Oiling Question?

I have a 1962 235 Chevy and when I replaced the valve cover gasket and readjusted my valves the other day I noticed that where the two pieces of the rocker shaft meet there is alot of oil pouring out the joint. Also if I run highway speeds around 3000 RPM for 15 -30 minutes the rockers develop a rattle like it runs out of oil. Let off for a minute and it quietes down. This is a fairly fresh motor (1.5yrs) with low miles on it but a daily driver.
Thanks in advance, Morgan

Dear Morgan;

Two things come to mind.

First: Is there a spring & washer on each side of the connecting piece that the oil line feeds?

Second: Is there a small clip/deflector attached to the oil return line at the top?

If any/all of that stuff is missing you can lose pressure there.

Also; Does your engine have solid lifters and what is your oil pressure cold when you first start it?

Good luck, John M....

I would bet you are using aftermarket rocker shafts.
Aftermarket shafts have a flat spot ground the full length of the shaft. This flat spot will allow a lot of oil leakage at the connector on a 1959-62 engine which had full pressure unrestricted oiling to the rockers.

If you want to email me your phone number I think I can answer your lifter question.

The motor was a Recon rebuild so I am not sure if the shafts are aftermarket. I bought the motor due to time constraints and put a Clifford cam in it. I have the original motor that I thought about swapping the entire rocker assy. Recon had some kind epoxy on the feed tube where it comes out of the head. I will check all of the springs and washers also. Dave I will email you my # also. Thanks and I will let ya know what I find.

Also I have hyd. lifters and I don't have a gauge on it though I know I need to.