Hello all! Pretty new to the forum, lots of reading to get myself up to speed. I bought a 65 Special a couple of years ago that has the V6 with the assumption of swapping something in. I found a 70 455 on a local classifieds and bought it after hearing it run (on a stand with no water circulating). It started right up from cold and idled nice and sounded healthy. Had a test light connected to the oil sending unit and it went off as soon as it started. It sounded healthy (no knocks or tapping) and soumded powerful through open headers. We only let it run for 30 seconds or so though to keep it from getting too hot without water in it. I bought it and have been in the process of cleaning it up to paint it before I drop it in. Luckily I took the valve covers off to make it a little easier to get them nice. Under the passenger side valve cover I see that the oil got cooked at one point and there is no liquid oil on that side at all. I plan on pulling the distributor and manually running the oil pump, but what are the likely first things to check? Drivers side head is fairly dry but there is oil there versus the char on the other side.
Oil in pushrods is like goo I'm sure....needs heat to get it moving. Put fresh thin oil in it with some Marvel Mystery oil and once warmed up will prob be fine.
At this point I could easily pull the rockers and clean the pushrods if that is all everyone thinks it needs.
50/50 motor oil ATF in motor.. Hot plate oil pan get that oil hot.. remove distributor use a 1/2 inch drill motor circulate the oil pump... remove SPlugs rotate motor.
I forgot add a Cheap oil filter to the mix.. You won't believe how much sludge will come out.. That Hot oil/mix does wonders. But dont get it so hot that it cooks..
I know you said it is a 70 455, but you don't know the complete history of the engine. Prior to 1970, the 400-430 oiled the heads through passageways in the block/heads. The lifters, push rods, and rocker arm assemblies were different. Make sure you have all the right parts. Having said that, I agree with most that it probably needs to be warmed up thoroughly with fresh oil before you conclude you have a problem.
The numbers on the block say 70 but I will check to see what the numbers on the heads indicate, especially if I can't get any oil up through the pushrods.
I would also make sure the lifters and push rods are correct. Pre 70 lifters will not have the oil feed hole in the lifter cup.
Verify if its a 70, if it is and you are looking for reliable performance some oiling mods are necessary. They can be done without fully disassembling,before installing, but if not you'll spin some rod bearings, later 71-75 blocks had the mods done at the factory. Also an oil pump booster plate should be installed.
You guys were 100% correct. I have to admit I was skeptical and expecting a much more expensive fix. Hot oil and some warmth on each pushrods with a propane torch got oil flowing right away. Thanks for your help!
