71 455 with fresh rebuild and 3000 miles on it. my problem is that no oil is circulating up into the heads. Autometer guage reads 60-80lbs at a cold idle and I get ticking noises after warm up. took off both valve covers to see them dry and no oil flowing up there while running. The block has had the oil passages drilled out , new timing cover and a high volume oil pump kit with larger gears and the plate at the rebuild. I've never had any problems in the past and complteted the 2001 Hot Rod Power Tour.
Any help would be appreciated,
Dave Ski

Two things come to mind.

First, I believe some engines got oil through the pushrods and some did not. Did you use the correct pushrods?

Also, once in a while I think you have to drill a hole in the head gasket, but I don't know which years worked which way.

Are you sure there is no oil at all? When I have my valvecovers off, I don't exactly get a flood of oil coming out...

-Bob Cunningham
bobc@gnttype.org

ALL 455's oil the rockers and valve train thru the head. ALL 430's oil thru the pushrods.

The only thing that comes to mind is that you are using 430 heads on the 455, or, the front cam bearing has moved (or was incorrectly installed)and is restricting the oil flow to the heads.

Thanks for the helpful replies. The internals of the motor are all stock and the pushrods, heads, and rockers are all 1970 #'s matching.
I was up all night reading buick books, articles, etc and it seems my problem is with the cam bearing either being damaged, worn or somehow restricting the oil flow to my heads.
Anyone know what kind of further damage this may have caused to the engine (cylinder walls) and will a cam change with a new bearing be the cure to this problem?
Thanks for the help,
Dave Ski

I am doubtfull the cam bearing moving would have any consequence to the bearings or cyl walls. The only problem with a front cam bearing moving is that it cuts off or restricts the oil flow to the rockers and upper valve train.

You may have scored the rocker shafts and or rocker arms, but that may be the extent of it. I would pull one of the mains and a couple of the rod bearings to have a peek just to be on the safe side.

Just to make a correction the 455 oil thought the push rods 430 400 thought a hole in the head that goes thought the rocker shafts

Right you are! I must have had a senior moment. redface.gif