SBC oiling mods

[maddad]

They do have oil rail support. And explain why it is not good to have the top ring that close?
It is better for endurance to keep the top ring further from the heat at the very top of the piston. That heat is tough on the top ring and can cause it to distort and lose seal, and the pin can also suffer by being so close.
A little less stroke may take you away from that 434, but will let you use a shorter rod and off the shelf pistons with better ring spacing. 3.8, 3.85, and,3.875 will still get you 420+. Then you can support the oil rail but get the top ring and pin down.

[67weimann]

Am I heading in the right direction. I used the old die grinder to open up the holes in the front of the block level with the lifter valley floor.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/000_0578.jpg
I also opened up the oil return holes in the back of the block...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/000_0577.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/000_0580.jpg
Quick question though. I've read that you should clean up the oil passage where the oil pump bolts on to the rear main cap. I've heard to make the groove deeper and smooth out where the bolt comes through, Question is, how much can I grind out of it and can I grind too much or is there any other precautions I should take in this area?
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/000_0567.jpg

[Moneypitt]

The key word here is "blend". Just sorta blend the passages to make a smooth transistion. You dont have to remove a lot of material, just smooth it out a bit........MP

[67weimann]

Gotcha...

[maddad]

Sorry about the quality, but this is a picture of a picture showing the rounding off of the sharp edges and flow restrictions at the rear cap.
No real work, more like detailing.

[67weimann]

Hope I didn't f... it up too bad
Hard to see in the picture but, the bolt hole still is raised the same as before, just smoothed it all out...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/000_0587.jpg