I screwed up. I'm building an 8BA for my A bone. I plan to run an electric fuel pump and meant to knock the fuel pump push rod bushing out and plug the hole while I had it apart. Well needless to say, I forgot to plug the hole and now I have all the valves and cam shaft installed and don't want to pull them out. So, what's the best way to plug the oil hole in the bushing? I've read that if you don't use a mechanical pump, you have to plug the hole or the engine will lose oil pressure. Thanks for your thoughts.
Hey NoCents, you can believe and take to the bank what the author of this link says. I personally know JWL and he has studied flatheads more thoroughly and longer than anyone I know. He was a primary engine builder for a fuel burning flathead dragster team years ago. His hobby shop is better equipped than most automotive machine shops.
agree 100%. Flathead Jack sells a ****on to put in the hole when you take out the pushrod. I have used it with no problems at all on my '32. I was told it helped with the oil splashing but had no effect on oil pressure. Doc.
You're not screwed, use a Welsh Plug. I think that's what Doc is describing above. I have one in my 8BA with electronic fuel pump.
I am running an 8BA with electric fuel pump and no mechanical fuel pump. It is my understanding that on an 8BA that hole has nothing to do with oil pressure while on the 59AB' it does. There has been much, much discussion on this topic on the Fordbarn site by some pretty smart flathead folks. mnay different opinions. But I did not plug that hole and have had great oil pressure for the last 5 years.
If you decide to plug it go to NAPA and buy a 7/16" Welch (freeze) plug. Put a dab of RTV on the end of a piece of 3/8" allthread, stick it down thru the fuel pump hole in the intace and tap it in with a small hammer. When tapped in break the RTV loose by twisting the rod and pull the rod out. Put the fuel pump stand back on the intake and give her hell.
Ive always been on the cautious side of this issue since there have been reports from very reliable builders that some 8BA blocks do lose pressure when not plugged. Never pinpointed if they were 48 truck blocks or what. As far as the plug, use any method that can easily be reversed. Ive even seen a wood dowel tapped in. Reason being is that if that electric pump ****s the bed in East Bumfuk you can pull the original setup out of the trunk and get moving again. I remember JWL from Forbarn several years ago. Seems he doesnt like to be questioned by his peers, especially when he is shown to be wrong. Hasnt been on since, no loss as there are many others that took up the slack.
Thanks for all the info. As usual, this board is a virtual library of obscure information. I've asked my buddy to machine me a br*** or AL ****on like you described. A little red locktight should keep it in place. Thanks again. I'm sure as I move throught he rebuild I'll need more help.
You wont have oil problems by not blocking the pushrod hole. You will have some blowby oil p***ing if you use the fuel pump mounting as a breather or oil fill point. To block off, cut a small lenght of fuel pump push rod, weld a washer on one end and place in the bushing. problem solvered! 32V8
Yes, splash is a big issue if any of the various stock barriers between crankcase and valley are gone--tube at front, clip-in shields, tubes under pump in 59A. Extra oil tossed into valley creates problems at vents and also can overwhelm valve guides and cause some oil burning. In a 59A, the bushing for pushrod goes through the oil gallery, but this can only leak if bushing has utterly worn away or been removed. Splash from this area is significant on a 59A because vent is right above.
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