Pouring Oil Down Plug Holes

[Bingster]

I've been periodically pouring oil down the plug holes in my flat head and noticed the forward piston seems to be right up as far as it will go.  When I put the funnel in the holes, it bottoms out, whereas with the others the funnel goes all the way in. (It's s small funnel)

 

Is that piston stuck? It should be in the same position as the others, right?

[Plymouthy Adams]

no...odds are the valve is open as the plug is directly over the valve, not the piston

[Bingster]

Thanks! Good to know.

[JerseyHarold]

As Tim said, the spark plug hole is directly over the valve area.  I've put a thin hose on a small funnel and pushed it through the spark plug hole to route the oil to the cylinder itself.   Another method that worked for me is a pump oiler with a flexible metal neck.   

[Bingster]

Goods ideas. I'll try 'em.

[Bingster]

BTW, how much oil do you shoot down there?

[JerseyHarold]

If you're trying to coat the entire cylinder wall in oil, just keep adding slowly until the oil visibly overflows onto the valve area when you look into the spark plug hole.  If your goal is to keep the rings from rusting about an inch of height should do it.  Also remember that the pistons in a flathead six travel in pairs (1&6, 2&5, 3&4).  So. if cylinder #1 took a lot of oil, so will #6.

Edited July 11, 2016 by JerseyHarold

[Bingster]

Thanks. I don't think that I've been putting enough oil in. The car has been sitting for about seven years since it was fired up when I bought it. I'm looking to start it this year, and am gradually building up the parts list.