rockers not getting oil

[rtgetzinger]

I have an '85 2.8 v6 rebuilt with only a couple of hours on it. The right side rocker isn't getting oil pressure. Left side does get oil pressure, guage reads high pressure at 80 lbs. I removed the heads and pan. No apparent blockage in any components. When I blow into the oil passage hole on top of the block the right side that doesn't get oil pressure seems to blow right through easily. The left side requires that I blow harder and I can feel something of a back pressure, that's the side that does get oil to the rockers.

Could it be something in the camshaft, perhaps a bearing, that is the culprit of the low oil pressure at the right rocker shaft?

A separate, but perhaps related issue. Should both oil galleys in the bottom of the block, at the front, just behind the timing gears be blocked off or just one? When I first put together and ran the engine without either blocked I had almost zero oil pressure at idle.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

im not familiar with these engines but it sounds like if you left the oil gallery unplugged you would be losing all your pressure for that side. try plugging it you have nothing to lose

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

Sounds like maybe a piece of silicone sealer is plugging the feed for the rocker shaft. Have you removed the shaft itself to check for blockage there?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

can you blow air in the side not getting pressure and see it it comes out the one that is not plugged either way would work i guess blow in the one not plugged and see where it goes if you can

 

[rtgetzinger]

rockers not getting oil - problem found

The problem was the number three camshaft bearing was only halfway pressed in its proper position. The oil that flows to the third camshaft bearing makes its way past the bearing, in its proper position, and on up through the head to the rocker pedestal and to the rocker shaft on the right side of the engine. After a complete disassembly to locate the problem, $92 bucks for new cam bearings and install and it's time to put the block back together.
This engine was prepped per Sven Pruitt's book on the race prep for the 2.8 ford. It includes a hot cam, offenhauser intake, Holley 390, home made headers, 5 speed tranny and installed in a frame off resto hot rodded '72 Triumph Spitfire. Yea ha!

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

Sounds fun. I'd love to build a 2.8 one of these days just to see what I can get out of it. They seem like they have a lot of potential. But I need space and money first.

 

[dangerranger83]

Lets see some pictures of this set-up!!!!!!!

 

[strvger]

sounds like a real sleeper!!