440 Oil Passage Question

[6T8 Charger]

I'm getting ready to install the crankshaft and I noticed a threaded port at the front of the block that I think was open when I tore down the motor 3 years ago. Should I leave it open or install a plug in it? I dumped a little oil down it and it ran into the lifter gallery. I saw that 440 Pete from youtube had it plugged. Any suggestions? The first 2 pictures are my block, the last one is Pete's with the port plugged.

 

[Cranky]

Plug it.....and I would use some sealer on it.

 

[6T8 Charger]

Thank you!

 

[R413]

There are more than that one that needs plugged. Two more above cam bore, and two in the bellhousing area around cam bore. All 4 of these are for drilling the passage for oiling the lifters.

Top rear of block are two oil passages. One for oil pressure sender and block the other one.

 

[6T8 Charger]

There are more than that one that needs plugged. Two more above cam bore, and two in the bellhousing area around cam bore. All 4 of these are for drilling the passage for oiling the lifters.

Top rear of block are two oil passages. One for oil pressure sender and block the other one.

View attachment 1919239

Yep. I had those 2 already plugged and same with the oil pressure port. Thank you for asking!

 

[493 Mike]

I like to use the larger top of block port for the prelube from my Moroso 3 Qt. accumulator. Almost all of our rides sit for months at a time. I feel very good when my oil pressure gauge goes up before I crank my engine to start!
Mike

 

[Lefty71]

All the plugs are pulled to clean and hopefully tank the block. Looks like they are depending on you to figure out what needs to go back???

This is damn important.....if the original heads are going back on, make damn sure you understand how the valve gear is oiled, and figure out which head was on which side originally.

 

[Cranky]

All the plugs are pulled to clean and hopefully tank the block. Looks like they are depending on you to figure out what needs to go back???

This is damn important.....if the original heads are going back on, make damn sure you understand how the valve gear is oiled, and figure out which head was on which side originally.

???

 

[pnora]

All the plugs are pulled to clean and hopefully tank the block. Looks like they are depending on you to figure out what needs to go back???

This is damn important.....if the original heads are going back on, make damn sure you understand how the valve gear is oiled, and figure out which head was on which side originally.

Heads dont care what side they go on.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Don't do like I did and miss that plug it will cost you a set of bearings... No oil pressure. 200.00 mistake on my part.

 

[6T8 Charger]

All the plugs are pulled to clean and hopefully tank the block. Looks like they are depending on you to figure out what needs to go back???

This is damn important.....if the original heads are going back on, make damn sure you understand how the valve gear is oiled, and figure out which head was on which side originally.

I did get the block hot tanked so they pulled all the plugs. I'm going with new aluminum 'stealth' heads from 440 Source. Plus a .488/.491 cam from Comp Cams. Topped off with a Edelbrock intake and 750 cfm carb. I thinking 400+ hp!

 

[6T8 Charger]

Don't do like I did and miss that plug it will cost you a set of bearings... No oil pressure. 200.00 mistake on my part.

It's easy to miss. I don't remember taking it out when I tore the engine down. Maybe the machine shop took it out. I hope you didn't do too much damage with the lost oil pressure.

 

[Lefty71]

???

Heads dont care what side they go on.

Yes, they do. Let me explain, as i think i jumped a little too far ahead for some of you.
If the machinist hands you your stuff back, unassembled, most guys have the responsibility to check ALL the passages and ensure that motor is clean and ready for reassembly. If the original heads are going back on an engine and you swap them side for side from where they were originally, there is a very strong chance that you will get no oil to the heads or valve gear at all, unless you verified the head ports are clean where they align with the block oil ports. Sounds like the OP is not quite to that point yet, but i mentioned it because hes right there with it.

 

[pnora]

Yes, they do. Let me explain, as i think i jumped a little too far ahead for some of you.
If the machinist hands you your stuff back, unassembled, most guys have the responsibility to check ALL the passages and ensure that motor is clean and ready for reassembly. If the original heads are going back on an engine and you swap them side for side from where they were originally, there is a very strong chance that you will get no oil to the heads or valve gear at all, unless you verified the head ports are clean where they align with the block oil ports. Sounds like the OP is not quite to that point yet, but i mentioned it because hes right there with it.

Sorry thats just plain wrong. Yes its a good idea to inspect everything, but I have never seen the possibility of a heads oil passage being incorrect and causing an issue swapping from side to side or replacing a head.

 

[Cranky]

Yes, they do. Let me explain, as i think i jumped a little too far ahead for some of you.
If the machinist hands you your stuff back, unassembled, most guys have the responsibility to check ALL the passages and ensure that motor is clean and ready for reassembly. If the original heads are going back on an engine and you swap them side for side from where they were originally, there is a very strong chance that you will get no oil to the heads or valve gear at all, unless you verified the head ports are clean where they align with the block oil ports. Sounds like the OP is not quite to that point yet, but i mentioned it because hes right there with it.

Yes, EVERYTHING needs to be checked and there are many who do not know what to check. I've built several engines over the years and have never run into a clogged oil passage in a head including passages in the block. It's also a good idea to clean all those passages before assembly. But the way your other post came across was each head is married to it's rightful place on the block. Have you ever ran across a head that had a totally clogged oil passage? If so, it must had been one engine that didn't see very many oil changes. I rebuilt one engine for a guy at work that had totally clogged pushrods though. It was a bad one. Don't really remember the brand as it was a very long time ago. Even after soaking the pushrods in solvent for a couple of days the stuff in them was like cement and just bought new ones. Lots of people reuse them but they are also a wear item and need to be checked along with the rockers especially if they are under high load conditions.

Sorry thats just plain wrong. Yes its a good idea to inspect everything, but I have never seen the possibility of a heads oil passage being incorrect and causing an issue swapping from side to side or replacing a head.

 

[R413]

Yes the heads have oil passages front and back, but the back one is the only one used. So the front one plugs up. Then you put the head on wrong side and Bam! No oil to rockers.

It happens to me once, and once was too much.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

It's easy to miss. I don't remember taking it out when I tore the engine down. Maybe the machine shop took it out. I hope you didn't do too much damage with the lost oil pressure.

Crank was fine I think the bearings were ok but replaced them just to be safe. Rod bearings too. Just didn't want an issue. So I replaced it all. lol

 

[Lefty71]

Have you ever ran across a head that had a totally clogged oil passage

Yes, i have. And i have helped others in catching this potential distaster.

But the way your other post came across was each head is married to it's rightful place on the block.

Sorry

If so, it must had been one engine that didn't see very many oil changes

Yes, probably. The problem is, many dont even see that the passage exists at that point. The whole thing was kinda off topic.....but it looked to me like the OP was picking up where someone else left off, and he needs do be very careful from here on out. Either way, all good. Knowledge is KING!

 

[Lefty71]

but I have never seen the possibility of a heads oil passage being incorrect and causing an issue swapping from side to side or replacing a head.

Ok... now youll know who to thank if you ever do.