I decided to put this topis in here just to help all people that own Yblock engines, i don't know it all, but this is information i want to carry on to help all Yblock owners, most i assume know, but i just like to feel helpfull.


Yblock rocker shaft problem, it's because people do not realize the proper weight oil must be used depending on the climate in where one lives.. Example, in Houston Texas where i live i use 20-50 weight viscosity oil and my rockers all spray oil, but let's suppose i was in New York for Christmas, DuH???? Once i started getting about halfway there i would change it to 5-30 weight oil. Its a combination of three things, people allowing the oil holes on the heads to clog up from not changing oil often enough, or people that put rocker shafts on backwards (And ive seen Yblocks that way too!!!) The rocker shaft hole must line up with the hole in the engine head for oil to go into the hollow rocker shaft, next problem, people that dont consider what weight oil to use depending on where they live..That's why Yblocks have upper oiling problems, other than maybe a bad oil pump or such., if you're now dropping oil pressure, take into consideration what kind of oil filter you are using, a lot of people mess up using these fancy filters use a motorcraft.Also as long as you're getting oil on your rockers at this time, don't worry too much about this, just be sure and keep your oil clean..Janet


P.S, I also have learned from many of you too!!

 

Janet40, I have a 64 with a 63ish 292. What kind of oil pressure should I be running @ hot idle? My needle is jumping arround when I speed up Like the psi spring is sticking. It will run up to 70 lbs then drop back to normal as I speed up. Once it is warm It smoths out.


Any comment appreciated.
RCMC

 

Yep, sounds like the needle is just acting wacky maybe, i'm not sure what climate you live in, but as low as 40lbs is okay or really even less as long as your getting oil on your rocker shafts. Next time it's hot i would just let it idle, and take off the valve covers and make sure it's getting oil on every rocker, then do the same thing when it's cold sometime and it should start getting upper oil after no longer than one minute i would say, if all that's okay and she runs good i wouldn't worry about it.But the proper pressure in my climate of 90 degress plus, is 60lbs cold, then it can drop sometimes to 45lbs after a long hot workout, but as a general rule of thumb, if Yblocks get upper oil when they're hot ans shortly after cold startup, they will be okay...Apoligies, i just noticed you live in Houston like i do, 60 cold and 50 hot and is your oil filter okay?? I run 20-50 weight oil down here in Houston myself and both cars with 292's do good in this area......Janet PS, sorry RCMC, i was looking at my own reply when i thought you lived in Houston, so im not sure what weight oil you should be using because i don't know how cold or hot it is where you live, but the information i gave you should be right....Janet

 

Thanks Janet, Here in Sidney It has been 70's-80's for the last month. August gets to 105ish for a week or two and January gets to -10 +or- 40 degrees. I am running 10-30 in the winter and 10-40 in the summer.

 

RCMC, sounds like your great on the weight oil you're using then, i think you have that part right for that climate. I forgot to mention last night, about how your oil pressure needle jumps around somewhat, i would try bleeding it while the engine is running, you might have an air pocket in the tube....Janet

 

RCMC, an eradic oil reading like you describe could also be a leak on the vacuum side of the oil pump, caused by either or both a past due rubber gasket on the oil pump intake or an out or round oil pickup tube at the oil pump intake.

 

I think RCMC, your oil pump would not be leaking where it bolts up, otherwise there would be leakage of oil once your engine was shut down for awhile. That's why i didn't mention that ......Janet

 

I am sorry I didn't mention that the oil pan is leaking near and around the pump. The rear main is leaking, and I thought the pump leak is from the rear main but now everything is making sense. Its been a long time since I have rebuilt my dads 292 and I cant remember how many gaskets I have to go through to fix the pick up on the pump.


Thanks
RCMC

 

Well it is pretty easy. Take off the nut at the oil pump input, and loosen the nut on the oil pan. Pull back the pickup tube from the oil pump. May require a little effort. Once clear take off rubber grommet/gasket. Look at tubing end and see if it is round. Reasemble in reverse order, and don't put tons of torque on either of the nuts.

 

46yblock is on the money on that, don't overtighten, because that pump flange uses machined flat bolts, plus it's a very easy job, next if you fix that or also find oil leaking from the rear of the engine, sounds like the notorious Yblock seal issue is coming at you, not being silly, but those have that problem too, Rear seal talk is the biggest talk of Yblock forums almost, Hopefully your mains aren't bad, but if it gets that far i'll explain how to tell, but that leaky pump does need to be fixed first...Janet

 

When I rebuilted a y-block I use a small die grinder to cleanup that infamous oil passage that is cast into the head you know the one that goes across the head. It is here that most of the oiling problems with the rockers occurr. Make sure and do this when the heads have been resurfaced a bunch.

 

Ill think, i'll buy what you're saying about this updated informations...Janet

 

I used 10w30 all year when I drove mine. As far as oil pressure, I went by the general rule of thumb I read about years ago. 10PSI for every 1000 RPM. I drove my Y VERY hard for 30K before I parked it, and never had an oiling or pressure problem.

My 292 always had lower oil pressure than my Dads 292 because the machine shop installed the wrong cam bearings. Supposedly, after talking to the machine shop, the were for a 302. When we put the cam in, we noticed too much play. Not having time to send it back, we built the motor anyway. My Dads Y always had 10-15 PSI more at any RPM then mine did but I still never had an oiling problem. When I rebuild the engine, I will definately be fixing that

 

Ken, if it were me, i would discontinue to even drive it if the cam has play, that can cause many other problems for you, but when and if you correct it, i would be sure and change those lifters too. Just my few cents worth, it's your business though, and good luck with it....Janet

 

Thanks for the warning, but I put 40K HARD miles on it before I parked it with massive electrical problems. The first year in High School, I probably had it redlined more than on any other part of the tach. The engine still runs like a top, and I never had a problem with it. Just proves how good a Y block can be, and I would not hesitate to drive it again without changing anything. However, I will have the correct bearings put in just because they are not the right ones, and the oil pressure wasnt high enough.

PS, the cam and lifters were pulled and we found absolutely no wear on them. All measurements came out to what they were when we put the parts in the engine. Y blocks forever