Progress. Updates. And questions.

Setting up the rocker arm geometry and measuring pushrod length is tedious work, and by far I spent the most time on the valve train than any other component during the build. It's a good idea to just walk away for a day when things aren't going right. I did the same a couple of times.

@CoronetDarter @RemCharger @icetech does any of you guys know if one of the bolts on the thrust plate is supposed to have an oiling hole in it? i just realized i didn't have an oil slinger, so i looked them up to try an see what was needed. and it seems like the slingers aren't even needed. that they weren't even added from factory after like 1975. but a few people were showing that they had an hole on the top left bolt of the thrust plate (that I'm assuming is for oiling.)

Good question. Looking at the engine, the upper left bolt hole should be open to the lifter valley. Oil will pool on the other side of the china wall and eventually run into the hole and dribble down the thrust plate (if the bolt has a hole in it). My engine didn't originally have a bolt hole, but I replaced it with one that did. It's easy to modify; secure the bolt firmly in a vice and drill a small hole down the center. It can be done with a hand held drill, but a drill press would be better.
Also, behind the thrust plate are two small oil gallery holes. The Mopar engine rebuild books instruct the user to install the galley plugs; otherwise you can experience low oil pressures. There are FABO members that claim to have torn down SB engines without the galley plugs installed, without experiencing low oil pressures. I installed them on my build, and staked them per the book's instructions. My cold idle oil pressure is 76 psi.

bm73charger said:

@CoronetDarter @RemCharger @icetech does any of you guys know if one of the bolts on the thrust plate is supposed to have an oiling hole in it? i just realized i didn't have an oil slinger, so i looked them up to try an see what was needed. and it seems like the slingers aren't even needed. that they weren't even added from factory after like 1975. but a few people were showing that they

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Some do some dont.. my last 2 318s i tookj apart didn't.. BUT.. what i did was if you look where the plate goes the oil line ends at it with a pipe plug.. i drilled bout a 3/8" hole in the thrust plate and a .060 hole in the pipe plug (hole int he trust plate is so oil can shoot out) so i made it have active cooling.. oil pressure didn't drop a bit

Anyone know what those 2 holes in the block are for? Just above the timing chain?