Where can I find a top oiler kit for my 292 y-block engine? I've had to replace both rocker shaft assemblies and the pushrods because of blockage in the oil passages, and I don't want to do this job over & over again. (The pushrod and rocker sets, gaskets & etc. cost about $400 so far.) A professional auto mechanic friend of mine said that a top oiler kit is the best way to solve the problem without pulling off the cyl. heads because if the internal passages clog again, (They will) you're stuck with doing it all over again. He told me that the kit is plumbed into the oil pressure sending port and two oil lines run to a specially drilled stud on each rocker arm. The reason that the internal passages have blockage problems is because they don't line up with each other at assembly and the oil has to go through a very small cross over in the head gasket. Any info would be appreciated!

 

I would tear down the engine and put new cam bearings, cam clean the pasages and do it right, in my 30+ years foolin with y-blocks i havent had a oil passage clog up, most of those kits were installed like a drunken sailor did them , they do take oil away from the bottom end!-----just my 2 cents-----Rob

 

I agree with sheets 100% You need to pull the engine down. Your mechanic is correct in the passages do not line up. What I've done is remove a portion of head gasket to open this passage up alittle and with todays oils you'll never have another problem.
With my 2 cents you now have 4!

bigwin

 

Thanks for the advice. The current location of the truck eliminates the option of pulling the heads.. I just need to get it home without burning up the new rocker assemblies & pushrods. If the oil pressure is too low after oiler installation, I'll shim the relief spring on the pump a little.

 

I used one of those kits before. And run it a very long time with no big problems. Some times things can not be fixed rite away at least thats the way it for me. I have herd that those kits are found on e bay. I found mine at a swap meet. In the kit it has adjustments that controls the admount of oil going to the rockers. So you don't starve the engine. Don't expect it not to leek a little to. I was way happer when it was fixed right. Pulling the heads off may not fix your problem but it might thou. The problem might be your cam shaft and or cam bearing not leting the oil throu.
Old timers said that they have filled the valve covers up with greese and the heat would make the greese melt into the rockers. You might be able to oil them up real good to get it home and stop every 5 to 10 miles and oil it again.

 

I have a used set up off an old y block if you really want to go that route. $20.00 email me, I tried to email you but it wont let me.

Kevin

 

ATTN:bigwin56f100:
I will buy your oiler kit, I'm on vacation right now and using a friend's computer. My email address is captainal@lewiston.com
my home phone # is 208-746-6460. please call me after 2pm pst
because I work the night shift. I will be home after the first of Sept. THANKS!!! I will accept a collect call.

 

Top oiler kits are a simple fix for worn cam bearings. The design of that engine is such that the oil goes to the cam bearings before it goes up through the passages in the heads to the rocker arm shafts. If the bearings are worn, the spill off of oil reduces the pressure to a point that there is no oil going up to the rocker shafts. I have been there and done that.

 

Allrighty then! Some say fix it right and some say put in the oiler kit. I'm a little confused about which direction to send my customer. Does the oiler kit last or should we tear this old puppy apart and rebuild it. Right now it sounds like a worn out sewing machine in a sweat shop. I staggered on to the original post and am having the same problem with a 272 in a 59 Ranch Wagon. Customer is looking for a less expensive way out and the old timers in my neck of the woods recommend the oiler kit, but I don't want to marry his noisey valve train. This is the first one I've ever run into. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

The cheap way out is the oiler kit, it is not necessarily the right way but it does work and will not wear out. It will reduce the amount of oil going to your other pressure fed bearings. The right way and the expensive way is to replace the camshaft bearings. Then, once you have it down that far you might as well do a complete overhaul. The choice is yours!