I'm building a 1954 261 engine and there is a 1/4" oil line (copper piping) from the main oil galley on the side of the block to the inside of the hollow bar the rocker arms pivot on. The pipe brings oil into the interior of the rocker arm assembly and also goes past the assembly and dumps oil onto the top of the head, under the rocker arm cover.

The end of the pipe on my stock 261 was wide open.

I've taken four 235 engines apart in the last 6 weeks and the 261 is the only engine with that oil line open. All of the others have had the pipe crimped to some extent to restrict oil being discharged on top of the head. One of the 235 oil pipes was bent over completely to force all of the oil into the rocker arm assembly where it would eventually surface onto the top of the head and splash onto the pushrods.

Can anyone help me understand what is going on and what I should do as I assemble the engine? Is this an effort to keep the engine's oil pressure as high as possible?

All help appreciated,

Thanks,


Ted

#4370

'50 Chevy Coupe Deluxe w/ 261
'51 Chevy 3100 P/U 5-window w/ 235