A better idea from Ford

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:07 pm

Not quite.

Fiddling away with the C*br*. The FE big blocks have a reputation for using a bit of oil due to the very efficient rocker oiling system they have resulting in 4 quarts under the valves covers and only one in the sump. This tends to flood the oil stem seals, which, along with the fact that the intake manifold seals to the head under the rocker covers too, leads to variably worrisome oil consumption.

The snag is that, to get the engine ine there, and fit power brakes, something has to give.

In this case, it is access.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:16 pm

A quick email to the FE Forum and the answer was obvious.

Remove the booster and hang your master cylinder from some convenient holes in underside of the bonnet.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:21 pm

It is easier on big block Mopars Sandy in that you don't have to remove the booster. However gaining access to that end bolt on the rocker cover is a bitch.

Thank God for manual brakes is what I say.

BTW is that a new carb? If not you have done a fine job of restoring it.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:21 pm

The rocker assemby oils through a hole up through the cylinder head. It then flows around an enlarged rocker pedestal hole and up into the pedestal. From there, it flows through the shaft and gets ejected through slotted holes under each rocker.

To restrict oil, visit your nearest trusty Halfords and get an off the shelf Holley #70 jet and insert it into the feed hole.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:23 pm

All was going swimmingly. I cleaned up the baffle that diverts the oil around the springs and drops it down the return holes at either end of the head.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:27 pm

Refitted everything, and then went to set the preload. Spun the engine over quite happily working from front back, taking the snick-snick slack out of each pushrod and then nipping to the drag and winding in a half a turn, when, as I was working on Cylinder 8 inlet, where I had more visibility, I noticed a sort of 'now you see it, now you don't' type effect as the pushrod was rotated.

Drat. Pushrod bent. A couple of others did the same. Double drat.

New pushrods needed.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:35 pm

Getting a bit of a dab hand at working these rockers now.

Here is the pax side. All stock for SAMS, of course.

Actually, although the manifold under the valve cover thingie is a pain, it does make it easy to see down into the valley to check the pushroods are seated, and also, having the shield under there as well means that the chances of dropping a pushrod down into the motor are (almost) eliminated. Unlike a Buick engine

It does make manifold changes a nightmare (I am told) as the manifold is heavy.

I will run it and see how the oil consumption goes.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Mar 11, 07 6:37 pm

Dave wrote:It is easier on big block Mopars Sandy in that you don't have to remove the booster. However gaining access to that end bolt on the rocker cover is a bitch.

Thank God for manual brakes is what I say.

BTW is that a new carb? If not you have done a fine job of restoring it.

Hi Dave,

Not touched the carb yet. The car runs a bit rich, but one engine step at a time.

I will get it back up and running with it as is, then throw the carb kit at it.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Mar 11, 07 7:39 pm

I have to remove the M/C on the Sox to access the rocker boxes....some people put them on Goodrich style flexi hoses for that purpose.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Sun Mar 11, 07 7:48 pm

Looking good Sandy

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Sun Mar 11, 07 7:54 pm

Pete wrote:I have to remove the M/C on the Sox to access the rocker boxes....some people put them on Goodrich style flexi hoses for that purpose.

I have to remove the M/C on my 'Cab with 318 to access the valve covers due to having a Yank aftermarket MC that exits towards my engine (RHD). Packaging the 440 should be fun! I've got a Hemi Dart SS style offset MC adaptor and a SuperBird MC that exits towards the wing (No pun intended) on RHD.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Mar 13, 07 9:21 pm

Pulled the rail off again tonight and took the pushrods out.

They are okay.

I must get new glasses

TYREMAN · Post by **TYREMAN** » Tue Mar 13, 07 9:32 pm

Good work Sandy

how does it drive then?and what car will you pick for the Nats? tough choice

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Mar 14, 07 3:53 pm

Hi Tony,

Not sure if I will be at the Nats this year.

Linda is away so I wouldn't take the Monaco, and I couldn't afford the fuel in the C*br*.

We will see.

All the best
Sandy

TYREMAN · Post by **TYREMAN** » Thu Mar 15, 07 8:17 pm

Oh Dear

well if Linda is away then surley you can play?(turn up at the Nats

) if you can make it to Lancashire you are welcome to a lift the rest of the way

I dont think the last owner of the C*br* could afford the juce

hence you now owning the fine beast.
All the Best
Tyreman

Mopar Muscle Association UK

A better idea from Ford

A better idea from Ford

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A less good idea from Sandy