Basic data of my car:
Olds 56 conv.
324 V8
4bbl carb.

I had to take the valve covers off, as they were leaking oil. Then came the suprise:

1) The valve covers were rusty on the inside.
2) The cylinder heads were rusty above the rocker arm shafts towards the carb.

I always thought that there was a lot of oil spraying around under the valve covers when the engine is operating.
How could there be rust, when lots of oil would spray around when the engine runs?
I started the engine with the valve covers off, no oil spraying!
The engine kept on idling and oil was coming out underneath the rocker arms on the shaft and was like "sweating out" underneath the springs, for the lubrication.

Is that the way the rocker arm shaft and the rockers are lubricated??

Any reason to be nervous?

Thanks for your kind help!

The German

 

Rust is probably from moist air entering during periods of storage, and condensing on the cooler metal. A tiny coating here and there, or huge flakes of rust all over everything? You could vacuum it clean if there's a lot.

Do you have a Chassis Service Manual?
It will explain the oiling system.
I am not well versed in that era engines, but am pretty sure that it oils thru the rocker shafts, via passages in the head and block. Things like incorrect head gasket might interfere with the oil flow.

In operation, I would think the oil flow would not be "spraying all over" but more like drizzling out. Somewhat better at higher RPM's. What is your oil pressure?

 

Hate to tell you, but it's not a typical small block Chevy. Every Rocket engine I've had, the oiling for the rocker arms was more of an oozing action then a sprinkler system

 

Guys, thanks very much, so I am pretty much save!

 

Yeah, don't make a problem if there isn't one.

Vacuum the rust out with a shop vac while brushing at the rust to dislodge any loose stuff. Maybe spray some sticky oil like Chain Lube on the surfaces prone to rust, to ward off further problems.

Got any photos of this rust issue?

 

I got the rust off without a vacuum cleaner, I just put oil on it and used a wire brush.
That way the rust does not create any dust, but a greasy liquid that can be taken off with a rag cloth.

 

I had issues with oiling too. Heard it is a common problem on these. Tony at Ross Racing provided custom push rods (holes through the middle) for the four corners that allowed oil through them. Works great now!

 

I keep it running the way it is and see what happens...