78 2F rocker arm (lack of) lubrication

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Adding to this long and distinguished post, was doing my valves last weekend and noticed a totally dry spot on the top of just one of the rocker arms. Not the whole top either just part of it. But was totally bone dry. Everywhere else was well oiled. I've had the vehicle for 4 years now and adjusted the valves a few times and never seen this. Running the engine I could clearly see that oil was flowing from all the oil channels on the bottom of the rocker arm tube including around the connection point of the arm and the tube - just not on the top of the arm. Any cause for alarm?
 
Hey all, before I do something stupid…. Famous last words…. My 78 FJ40 with the 2F motor has been rocking since I got it and has had low oil pressure (validated by physical gauge), so I replaced the oil pump/gaskey, oil pan gasket and got no increase. Spinning the distributor got me no oil up top, so I pulled off the rocker shaft and got no oil up the 4 hole. I tried to fish down the hole and couldn’t get more than an inch or so. It felt like I was up against a wall. Before I remove the head to check the head gasket, anything else anyone can think of, or am I in for it?

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If you examine a picture of a head gasket, you will see that the delivery hole is teardrop shaped bc the oil does not have a direct path. That is why you bottomed out so quickly.

If the engine has been rebuilt there is an unfortunate second possibility, which is that an F cam was put in a 2F block. Those cams are drilled second journal for rocker delivery, not third journal like the ‘74 and newer.
 
Not sure if this has already been covered here, but just spinning the oil pump won't get oil to the rocker via that oiler hole. The cam must also be turning (unless you're very lucky and it happens to be in the exact right orientation).

I had a similar symptom as yours when trying to get oil through the head on my 79 that had been sitting for many years (dry rocker assembly).

After determining that my head gasket was oriented properly (supposedly it can be flipped 180° and cover that oiling hole in the head), after verifing my oil pump was pumping (filter removed), after installing filter and cranking (cam rotating) for quite a while (to fill filter and pump to head), finally oil began to ooze up from that oiler hole in the head. It was some dark stuff at first, but clean oil eventually began to flow, albeit slowly, which I have read is typical.

If all that doesn't do it, Charlie's suggestion touches on one other possibility, leaking around that one cam journal supplying oil or perhaps the wrong cam bearings were used? I haven't had mine apart, so I am unfamiliar, but it's my impression that oil must flow into and around the cam to make the thru connection to the head?
 
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If you examine a picture of a head gasket, you will see that the delivery hole is teardrop shaped bc the oil does not have a direct path. That is why you bottomed out so quickly.

If the engine has been rebuilt there is an unfortunate second possibility, which is that an F cam was put in a 2F block. Those cams are drilled second journal for rocker delivery, not third journal like the ‘74 and newer.
Thanks guys!! When I pulled the head the gasket was upside down blocking the oil feed teardrop around the 4th cylinder. It’s wild how they have the oil go up the head bolt to the tiny inlet hole that connects to the rocker assembly to go up the rest of the way!! No wonder she was running hot! With the head off very low rpms welled the oil up again. Now off to cleaning the block, bolt holes, and getting her buttoned up!

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Thanks guys!! When I pulled the head the gasket was upside down blocking the oil feed teardrop around the 4th cylinder. It’s wild how they have the oil go up the head bolt to the tiny inlet hole that connects to the rocker assembly to go up the rest of the way!! No wonder she was running hot! With the head off very low rpms welled the oil up again. Now off to cleaning the block, bolt holes, and getting her buttoned up!

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Congrats! I've read flipping the head gasket was possible. Glad you caught it in time.
 
Congrats! I've read flipping the head gasket was possible. Glad you caught it in time.
Yep, now it time to reassemble. First working on timing so I can find TDC (top dead center for the noobs) on cyl 1. Then after the head is on I’ll validate/adjust rockers

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