FORD FE OIL TUBE REPAIR
After reading the article on building Ford FE engines in the May issue of Engine Builder, I was reminded of a solution I came up with to repair cracked Ford FE blocks. It was not uncommon in their hay-day to see some oil in the cooling system of these motors. It can almost be impossible to detect, but the blocks do crack in the oil passages leading from #2 and #4 cam bearing up to the top of the block to oil the rocker arms and shaft in the head. After having a comeback, I do this to all my FE builds. I find used pushrods that measure .314-.315” in diameter and remove the ball from 1 end. I use a little blue thread sealer and then I install them down the oil galley until it stops at a lip just before the cam bearing. I take a piece of sheet metal and drill a 5/16” hole and place this over the protruding rod down on to the block for protection. I use a cutoff wheel to trim it level with the plate and finish making it flush with a file. The restriction has never been a problem with stock or performance valve train and no more comebacks for cracked oil galleys.
Lewis Andrews
Andrews Automotive
Savannah, MO
July, 2018