56' 312 Oiler Tube Alignment in Shaft

[Crankster]

Some have experimented with different rocker arm ratios either 1.5s on the intake, or maybe the exhaust. Arguments for both I guess.

There is a firm, Rocker Arm Specialties, that will rebuild them by installing a bushing and refacing the tips. Interestingly while this is (or was) a common practice the shop manual specifically warns against the latter, cautioning instead they should be replaced. Can't see why unless the surfaces are hardened and even so it sure doesn't seem to be a problem.
The 1.43 ratio rockers seem to show up on that auction site fairly regular, if careful can get them reasonable. I opted for US made rocker shafts just because.

 

[paul2748]

I checked this out - 10-24 machine screw and tap are too small for the tube.

12-24 seems to be about right

My method oils what needs to be oiled, but takes longer than simply pinching the tube. I remove the tubes, and cut off the end with a tube cutter to get a square end. I cut them as close as possible to the end. Then I debur the inside of the tube, and the ID is the correct size to tap for 10-24. I tap them about 5/8 inch, then debur the end again. I take a 10-24 x 1/2 Philips head screw and clamp it gently in the drill press vice, then drill a hole all the way through the screw. The Philips head will center the bit for you. I used anywhere from a 1/16 to a 1/8 bit. The causes pressure to all the rockers, and puts oil where it needs to be for the timing chain and the dizzy gears. I have pictures of the rocker shafts after many thousands of miles, they look as new.

 

[My Old Blue]

I checked this out - 10-24 machine screw and tap are too small for the tube.

12-24 seems to be about right

I ended up following the 10-24 route offered by Ole Don. I did find when I cut off ends with tube cutter the end flared some. Tapped and had trouble getting threads cut at beginning of tubes due to flare.

I rummaged tthrough shop and found some slotted 10-24 x 1/2 and drilled a 3/32" hole through them. Felt 1/8" was too large of a diameter and a 1/16" too small and went ahead and drilled all three sizes for kicks.

I found it was hard to screw the screws into the tubes and made for a snug fit. Then I reduced the screw head diameter to reduce the profile.

 

[Crankster]

Thanks for the illustrations, have been meaning to do this.

 

[KULTULZ]

I came across this post while searching for something else-

Received in some parts in to start work back up on my 56' 312 Country Sedan wagon. Ordered two new rocker shaft oiler tubes to replace the passenger side that was missing and the drivers side that was bent over.

What I found interesting is the tube I did have on drivers side looked nothing like what I ordered. I removed the original tube and and tried to place new tube into the top of the rocker and it would not press in and was obviously hung up on something down the hole.

The install is missing a key part (PN BASIC 6575) to properly locate and anchor the pipe-