1956 engine problem

**Bernard M.** · April 3, 2008, 01:06 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Steve,

The only thing I can think of that you didn't mention is that the rear cam bearing has holes that align with those in the block so that the oil from the notch in the camshaft will pass through. Note that the rear camshaft journal should have a notch, not a groove. When you say "groove", I am thinking you might mean like those in W blocks or early big blocks. That's not what you need. If you're unfamiliar with what it looks like, post a reply and I'll send or attach a photo once I get home tonight.

Regards,
Bernie Myers

**Clem Z.** · April 3, 2008, 01:15 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Originally posted by Steve Huskins (28428)

Just when I think I am finished it pulls me back in.

I have a 265 engine for my '56 that was completly rebuilt about 4 years ago and I just installed it this winter. It is not oiling the right side head rockers and push rods. The left head oils fine. The oil pressure to the guage reads good. I know that the cam must have a groove in the rear and the builder on the other side of the country is checking his records to be sure that the correct cam was installed. Before I remove the engine and tear into it, is there anything else I need to look for? I have the correct distributor with the flat area on the shaft, but should it be indexed (turned) a certain direction? Could the plug on the right side oil galley under the timing chain cover be missing and cause loss of oil pressure on that side? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Steve #28428

you can check for oil flow in the passengers side by removing the intake and the back couple of lifters. then get a drill driven oil pump primer to see if oil is flowing in the lifter gallery. this will tell you if the engine needs to be pulled apart to correct some problem. if the oil is flowing there could be a problem with the distributor index

**Timothy B.** · April 3, 2008, 01:15 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Steve,
If I have this correct oil travels to the rear cam journal then around a annulas in the block which feeds the horizontal passages that provide lifter oiling for both sides and the center passage for the next cam journal and main. I would think if one side is oiling then all is OK back there. I don't know about the distributor flat, someone else will know but my bet is indexing the distributor as you mentioned.

With the plug missing in the front then I would think all oil pressure is bad. 265 engine may be different than what I am thinking , my 327 has no flat on the distributor

Have you run the engine to find this out or just priming to start?

**Clem Z.** · April 3, 2008, 01:22 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Originally posted by Timothy Barbieri (6542)

Steve,
If I have this correct oil travels to the rear cam journal then around a annulas in the block which feeds the horizontal passages that provide lifter oiling for both sides and the center passage for the next cam journal and main. I would think if one side is oiling then all is OK back there. I don't know about the distributor flat, someone else will know but my bet is indexing the distributor as you mentioned.

With the plug missing in the front then I would think all oil pressure is bad. 265 engine may be different than what I am thinking , my 327 has no flat on the distributor

Have you run the engine to find this out or just priming to start?

the 265 block does not have the groove behind the rear cam bearing for the oil to flow. this is why the rear cam bearing with its 3 holes must be positioned correctly for the oil to get to the lifter galleries. if one side oils i would think the cam bearing is in correctly.

**Steve H.** · April 3, 2008, 01:51 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

OK, from what I am hearing, If the cam has the grove then the bearing may be missing the holes or misaligned, or the distributor may need to be repositioned. Anyone know where the flat area should be positioned? (This would be the logical, not to mention easiest first step.) On my distributor the exterior oil tube is on the drivers side. The engine is running but with the right side valve cover off no oil comes out of the push rods. The left side oils good.
Bernie, if you could send a picture of the cam grove I would know what to look for if I need to go that far.

Thanks to all,
Steve

**Bernard M.** · April 3, 2008, 02:03 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Steve,

Generally, I would think if the oil tube on the distributor is on the right side then the distributor is aligned okay. It doesn't have to be rotated to an exact position or you would not be able to adjust the timing. Even if the gear were off a notch and couldn't be timed properly it would still oil okay. The flat on the distributor and an extra hole (compared to later model distributors) in the distributor housing just above the flat are essential to oiling. The rear cam bearing has holes in it for oiling, unlike the 283/327 et. al. Those holes must be properly aligned with holes where the bearing seats to permit oil flow. The notch in the cam journal provides the oil to the holes.

Regards,
Bernie Myers

**Steve H.** · April 3, 2008, 02:29 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Bernie,

The exterior oil tube in my distributor is on the left, so that may be the problem. I will try to turn the housing 90 degrees while leaving the timing as it is since the engine does run. At least it is a start. I will report back on my findings. Any other comments/suggestions?

Thanks,
Steve

**Bernard M.** · April 3, 2008, 02:36 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Steve,
The oil tube should definitely be on the right (passenger) side of the engine when the distributor is installed. That puts the "flat" on the distributor shaft housing toward the rear.
Bernie

**Roy B.** · April 3, 2008, 10:11 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

55 or 56 265 engine not getting oil to the left side means the rear cam bearing having ONE oil hole and engine block having ONE oil hole at the top area are miss aligned or your cam is not notched out.Nothing to do with the Dist.period

**Bert L.** · April 3, 2008, 10:46 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

The post mentioned that he was not getting oil to the right side rockers Roy, if that makes any difference. I wouldn't have a clue myself, no 265s in my background.

**Roy B.** · April 3, 2008, 11:44 PM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Originally posted by Bert Levesque (1392)

The post mentioned that he was not getting oil to the right side rockers Roy, if that makes any difference. I wouldn't have a clue myself, no 265s in my background.

your correct I guess I dont know my left from right (Left) thanks

**Steve H.** · April 4, 2008, 06:50 AM

Re: 1956 engine problem

Roy,
Does your statement still hold true if the right side is not oiling?

Thanks,
Steve

**Clem Z.** · April 4, 2008, 09:49 AM

Re: 1956 engine problem

state it as drivers side or passengers side and there will be no confusion unless you are from england.

**Michael B.** · April 4, 2008, 11:20 AM

Re: 1956 engine problem

The 265 does not use full oil pressure to the lifters and top end. Oil pressure is metered by a slot in the rear cam journal.

Oil flows through the lifter and up a hollow pushrod and squirts though the rocker to the ball pivot. You might pull all your pushrods and make sure they are clean and open inside. In later small blocks it was common to get too much oil flow to the top end and an old racers trick was to put pipe cleaners in the pushrods to slow the oil flow. But with the 265 oil only flows when the slot on the rear cam journal aligns with the two oiling holes in the rear cam bearing. That annulus feeds both lifter galleries so if one works the other must too unless that gallery is plugged.

You might also try adding a quart of Rislone or ATF which have high detergents that will help clean the oil galleries.

1956 engine problem

1956 engine problem

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