K Series Rocker Lubrication

[Banjo]

Did a search but can't remember whether it was on this site or another that I read this advice.

 

Someone suggested using a screwdriver shaft on a drill to prelubricate the bearings before a first start, after an engine strip down/rebuild. With dizzy removed the oil pump is not connected to running gear, so can be turned by poking said apparatus down dizzy hole.

 

Never tried this before so gave it a go at the weekend, on 5K just about finished.

 

Lubricated the bottom end OK, but couldn't see any oil coming out around the rockers.

 

Occurred to me that upper head lubrication maybe from a flat on the camshaft journal as I have come across in other engines I have worked on.

 

Quick reference to the Gregory's manual didn't provide wanted info.

 

Not wanting to pull out a camshaft to find out, I thought I'd ask someone wiser than I.

 

Anyone know whether the oil pump on the K series feeds the rocker gear directly or via a camshaft bearing flat etc. ?

 

Oh, by the way. Make sure your screwdriver shaft is very very firmly in the chuck.

 

My chuck came a bit loose, and as I extracted said drill & shaft, the shaft fell out and disappeared down the gap to the side of the oil pump to the bottom of engine.

 

Was just about resigned to pulling sump off to extract screwdriver shaft, but thought I'd try the magnet trick. Little magnet attached to piece of plastic tube, and would you believe, scored first time. Was very lucky as shaft must have stood straight up. Lesson learnt.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

:)

Edited June 21, 2005 by Banjo

[Super Jamie]

to get oil pressure up on the first running of an engine, just crank the motor over without spark until the oil pressure light goes off. you'll probably flatten a battery or two doing this, that's normal

[Banjo]

Jamie,

Your suggestion is the way I've always done it. I've always assembled the engine with bearing shells very "wet" and turned over the motor.

 

The engine turns over much better without the plugs fitted, but the great danger with spark plugs & S/Plug tubes removed is that oil on it's way back from upper head to sump will get sucked into cylinders. Stops anything else accidentally entering cylinder.

 

Never fill a K series engine with oil, with spark plugs & S/Plug tubes removed.

 

I made up a cute little tool, (well 4 off actually)

 

Get four old spark plugs. break out insulator until all that is left is the metal boss.

 

Weld 10mm dia. metal tube to top of spark plug boss.

 

Screw in when working on the engine in upright position.

 

Prevents oil entering cylinder, and allows engine to freely spin without compression, without the danger of upper head returning oil getting into cylinders.

 

The whole idea of the drill thing is to precharge new filter & all oilways before the engine ever turns over.

 

Cheers ! :)

Edited June 20, 2005 by Banjo

[Redwarf]

I like... :)

[Banjo]

Anyone know whether the oil pump on the K series feeds the rocker gear directly or via a camshaft bearing flat etc. ?

 

 

Someone, must know the answer to this question. Anyone got a K series camshaft lying around, that they can have a look at, and see if one of the front bearing journals has a flat on it to act as a low pressure oil pump for the rocker gear.

 

:)

[Redwarf]

Negative, no flats that I could see.

 

R

[blown 5k]

Yes oil feed comes up through number 2 camshaft bearing turn the engine over with a spanner on the crank whilst spinning the oil pressure tool (i use a old stripped down distributor shaft in a drill with no gear obviously)and when the drilling in the camshaft aligns with the holes in the camshaft bearings you`ll get oil pressure feed to the top end this is by far the best way of priming a K series engine prior to first start up.

[Redwarf]

I stand, sit down, and roll over corrected. :)

[Banjo]

Many thanks all ! Problem resolved !

 

:)