322 rocker arm assembly

**23 t** · 09-26-2010, 08:25 PM

Working on a 1953 322 ci motor. question on rocker arm assembly. are there special bolts on the front and rear rocker arm towers that allow oil passage into the assembly

**telriv** · 09-27-2010, 12:48 AM

Just on the front. They are shouldered bolts to allow oil to find it's way into the rocker arm shaft & ultimately to the rocker arms.

**23 t** · 09-27-2010, 01:10 PM

Thanks for the help. It seem like a very small area between the bolt and the tower for oil to pass. I saw a small hole in the side of the bolt hole on the front mount and the rear. just seem like there should be more of a passage for the oil?

**telriv** · 09-27-2010, 02:54 PM

Surprisingly very little oil is needed to keep everything happy up top. If you supply TOO much oil it will over-power the drain-back provisions made for returning the oil to the oil pan. Also, since most "Nails" don't have valve stem seals, & '66 had them ONLY on the intakes, it will smoke definitely on start-up & maybe even driving down the road.

Tom T.

**23 t** · 09-27-2010, 05:24 PM

Thanks Tom. I'll make sure to use the right bolts. I have another question about my 322. The shop that rebuilt my heads said that 1956 322 heads were the best for perforamce. And I have a 56 322 apart but complete. But to the lyman they look the same,same valve size,sameo sameo. What is it about the 56 heads that make them better than my 53 heads.