Oil deflectors in heads question

[ksquared 13]

There were some stamped metal oil deflectors (don't know what else to call them) in the heads. I think they fit under the rocker shaft stands. Are they necessary? What exactly was their function?

[LoneWolf2U 136]

Most fit under the rocker nut, they deflect the oil coming out of the pushrod to oil the rocker/valve.

[jholmes217 65]

What kind of engine? Are you talking about the drain tins that FE (390 and 428) engines have? Those channel the oil out of the heads back into the pan, kind of like a funnel. If you don't use those, then you should put oil restricters in. Without one of the two, you end up having a lot of oil in the heads instead of in the oil pan.

Edited October 19, 2012 by jholmes217

[LindenBruce 27]

+2. I would use restrictors going to the heads anyway on the FE. They just put way to much oil into the top end regardless. I study I read believes the FE has about one quart of oil on the heads during operation on an unrestricted top end oiling system. About another half quart in the lifter galley. Almost a quart in the oiling system. Leaving about two and half quarts in the oil pan. And Ford wondered why engines were blowing due to lack of lubrication hum.....

 

I used .090" restrictors for my engine build. And just using a drill motor to pre-lube the engine oil was still very plentiful. Also, if you decide to use restrictors on the FE, DON'T put them at the deck of the block. Because once the heads are on and you want to make a change guess what? Yep, the whole top end has to come off. So, put the restrictors into the top of the head just below the rocker stands. That way all you need to remove is the rocker shaft. I think I have a pic if anyone wants to see. Bruce

[ksquared 13]

Oops - 428 FE. I asked because I know they were on the engine from the factory but I've never seen them on performance built FE's. I would that's probably because most performance FE's use restrictors. Yes Bruce, if you have a picture handy, I'd appreciate it.

[jholmes217 65]

Oops - 428 FE. I asked because I know they were on the engine from the factory but I've never seen them on performance built FE's. I would that's probably because most performance FE's use restrictors. Yes Bruce, if you have a picture handy, I'd appreciate it.

 

Most of the high horsepower FE builds use full shaft mounted roller rockers, and there isn't room for the drain-back tins then. That's why they don't use them. If your wanting to go the shaft mount roller rockers, Harland Sharp seems to have the best reputation.

[ksquared 13]

Actually I was looking at the T&D model 7022. Think the HS setup is better?

[jholmes217 65]

Actually I was looking at the T&D model 7022. Think the HS setup is better?

 

If your going to build an FE engine, there's a few books I recommend. Here are the links; http://fepower.net/GFEIC.html, http://www.amazon.com/Build-Max-Performance-Ford-Engines-Performance/dp/1934709158/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350701112&sr=8-1&keywords=ford+fe, http://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-BIG-BLOCK-FORD-ENGINES/dp/0895860708/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350701112&sr=8-2&keywords=ford+fe. These are the books I use as a guide. Here are a couple great web sites also, especially for a 428 Cobra Jet: http://www.network54.com/Index/10214, http://fepower.net/, http://www.428cobrajet.org/

I think you will find 95% of the information you may need using these. The Harland Sharps are what most of the folks seem to like, but the others may work great too. I'm using a set of factory adjustable on my build.

[LindenBruce 27]

Here it is. Got the restrictors from Precision Oil Pumps. Bruce