Does the rocker shaft need end plugs?

[DutchEdwin]

Rebuilding a 1955 Plymouth / dodge engine, 260 cu.in. V8. My engine is a Poly head, not a Hemi. Now I'm trying the figure out the way all the oil flows.

When looking at the rocker shaft, it seems it is getting its oil from the block, in the middle of the shaft. Don't know how yet, through the bolt?

But as all rockers need oil I thought that the shaft would probably need end plugs or caps. But......there are no end plugs there! Is is right? If not, where can I get some, or can I make them myself. :confused:

Thanks

Edwin.

[Normspeed]

Edwin, I've heard that the early poly motors are the same as the early hemis except for the heads and intakes. You might look at the hot heads and hemis site, they have a lot of great tech and how to info about the early ones, including a rebuild guide.

[Johnny 5]

Those plugs have to be in there. You can get a set from Hot Heads. I'm pretty sure they're the same size as the hemi ones. Ask Bob to make sure before ordering. If you don't put them back your oil pressure will be extremely low and things will start to break very quickly

[DutchEdwin]

Those plugs have to be in there. You can get a set from Hot Heads. I'm pretty sure they're the same size as the hemi ones. Ask Bob to make sure before ordering. If you don't put them back your oil pressure will be extremely low and things will start to break very quickly

Thanks for the info,

I'm in contact with Nick form Hemihotheads, for the last few bugs of parts I need.

I'll send him the update list. Hope you're right about the size being the same as from a hemi rocker.

Hell, what idiot did try to repair my engine before I got it. Removing end caps ..... Can anyone @#$%@&*>?%^&$#@ him if you see him

Boy, Am I glad I can think my way through this being a smart guy....

[Plymouthy Adams]

not sure if they have end plugs..usually only rail rockers get lubed through the tube..and then the shaft/tube must align with a large hole at the bottom as it rests on the stand and you will see the extra space around the bolt for the oil coming from the oiling cam bearing (dual holes, top and bottom of shell and grooved) that force the lube into the shaft and out at the rocer arms.the rocker shaft on your engine may not use these..are your push rod hollow..usually mechanical adjusted rockers are lubed through the push rods...I did not see a true rail rocker in my Motors Manual for Plymouth in 1955...

[Johnny 5]

All V8 Mopar engines utilized shaft-mounted rocker arms with solid pushrods. There is a small oil hole on each deck face that sends oil up to the rocker shaft through the head and out to feed each rocker arm individually through a hole under each one in the shaft. The oil is pressurized inside the shaft. They didn't use a hollow pushrod until 1992 when the 5.2/5.9L heads were upgraded to pedestal-mount rockers

[DutchEdwin]

I have to confess, I made a little mistake.....but I was thinking it over however and that's what count (my opinion but you may shoot at that ). Here is the story. When I first looked at the site of Bob Walker's http://www.hothemiheads.com/ I saw the shaft's end plugs. I've seen pictures of Hemi heads also, in those pictures an end plug on the end of the rocker shaft was there. Hmmmmm was there one in my shaft, looked at my picture and could see a mounting bolt inside the shaft like you can see in the second picture pointed at. Alarm bells ring, I NEED DOSE!!!

Yesterday I went into my garage to measure the shaft for ordering these end plugs at Hothemi or Kanter. There is an end plug inside, only it is about 4/5 inch deep into the shaft, placed after the bolt at the end of the shaft. So No plugs needed. Just clean the inside, you can see in the first picture why, and pressure test it for leaks at the plugs. No leaks, no new plugs. Only good cleaning.

Johnny 5 is right about how things work. In my case...all oil holes (in the rockers, in the hollow bolts...) are clogged with the black thing that killed my engine. Happy (ever) after cleaning job to do this weekend.

Thanks for helping out any way. Still more to come As I go through the process.

Edwin.