[DeTomaso] Dipstick length

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/22/07 8:02:46 PM, tonydigi at optonline.net writes:


> This indicates to me the marginal drain back capacity of the holes (in 
> stock heads).
> 
THere are only two 7/16" dia drainback holes in each head, One hole is 
straight thru while the other one (that usually causes trouble) has a dog-leg bend 
in its middle. If gunk collects up in your rocker covers, this drain can become 
plugged, making a bad situation worse- even a vapor degreaser won't clear 
some. I open these up with an 8" long section of screen-door spring, threaded 
into the plugged drain by hand like a roto-rooter. So far, its cleared a couple 
that were plugged solid. Note that if doing this on an assembled engine, all 
that hard dry slop falls into the pan. 
Several years ago, I band-sawed a junk 351C head apart, and found that 
there's pretty thin walls around both the drains so MAYBE, if you feel lucky, a 1/2" 
drill could be run thru the straight drains for a small improvement. But the 
dog-leg ones have three angled drillings that do not perfectly match up - 
which is why this drain plugs up. Best fix-just run detergent oil and change it 
now 'n then. Good luck- J DeRyke





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