Originally Posted By: Ted's Inline 6
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.


Hi Ted . . . not sure why you've found these other anomalies as the top oil line is supposed to run past, up and over the rocker shaft with 'overflow' discharging down into the lifter bay:
1954 Chevy Truck Shop Manual

This design is essentially unchanged from the stovebolts. The line is intended to provide pressurized oil to the hollow rocker shaft. The shaft is drilled to allow oil to lubricate each rocker arm. The pressure in the shaft is governed by the fit/clearances of the rockers on the shaft.

I don't see how crimping the end of this 'overflow' line could materially affect the the main bearing or rod bearing pressures - the line is peripheral. Not unlike the reasoning that caused some engine builders of yore to peen over the oil holes in the big end of the connecting rod (which Chevy put there to oil the cylinder walls - another peripheral use of pressure). Besides, this rocker oil line is fed from the camshaft on a 261 so it is already one hop away from the mains.

I think that attention to main, rod and camshaft bearing clearances is the best way to assure maximum oil pressure in these areas - which in turn will provide maximum pressure to the peripheral uses of oil.

regards,
stock49