1970 455 oil pick-up tube change

I am rebuilding a 1970 455 with the 1/2 inch pick-up tube and I got a hold of a newer 5/8 pick-up. Would it do any good without drilling the block to 5/8? I am not taking bottom of engine apart so I do not want to drill. I heard the 70 has oiling problems. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

tube

Won't help much,but can't hurt.You still have the restriction of the smaller diameter oil galley from the front of the block.This could be drilled without motor removal or danger of getting debris into motor.
You'll need to remove radiator and front cover,but it can be drilled out from the front with a 11" long bit,then jack up the motor and drill the hole where the pick up is bolted on,its a little hassle but worth it,don't want to do much higher rpm stuff with the stock oiling system.An interim fix instead would be to increase current oil pressure by using a larger pump,a booster plate,and/or an adjustable pressure regulating bolt.
gary

 

I don't want to sound to dumb but why would the debris not get into the motor.

 

The oil passage is outside any internal portion of the motor,with the pan off everything will fall to the ground.When finished blow out any particals with air.I've done this mod several times without removal.
gary

 

For lack of a decent 1/2 inch pickup tube I installed a 5/8 on an otherwise half inch engine. Ten years later this has not been a problem.

 

Curiosity: When did they start using the larger 5/8" pickup tube?

 

all 71 and later 455 engines came with the 5/8 pickup tubes. in 70 only stage 1 cars had them. Bob

 

Not all 70s stage ones oil pick up hole was enlarged. I have one that still half inch diameter.

 

This thread can nearly buy beer.....

 

The 1231738 block (used 70 to mid year 71) had a 1/2 suction galley. The factory simply bolted a 5/8 tube on the Stage 1 motors.

The 5/8 suction galley was part of the changes that went into the 1238861 block, introduced mid year 71.

All subsequent 455 blocks had the 5/8 suction galley.

JW