Re: Valve train oiling
 

With the head off and with the help of an assistance, cranking the engine with the starter should bring the oil up the hole in the block deck. Be sure the fuel supply is disconnect from the fuel pump to prevent fuel from spraying everything (if electric fuel pump, be sure to pull the fuse) and causing a fire.

Re: Valve train oiling
 

Thanks James! I'll give it a whirl. Hoping I don't have to tear the whole thing down to get at a cam bearing......

Re: Valve train oiling
 

Just wanted to circle back on this issue if anybody is interested. After removing and cleaning the valve trains very well, I decided to have a detailed look at the overhaul manual (which is well worth downloading if you haven't already). It seems the special bolt that allows oil up into the tube came in two different lengths 2-3/4 or 2-7/8. The shorter bolt requires one flat washer and the longer bolt requires two. I have the longer bolts which had only 1 washer when I pulled them apart. I added the second washer and voila' - she's oiling very well now.

Figured I'd post this just in case there is anybody else having the same issue.

Cheers,

Re: Valve train oiling
 

It seems strange that such an important system has a key element that could be easily missed.
I guess if mine has been working for 65 years, it should be OK going forward.
Nice find.

Re: Valve train oiling
 

Yes- such a simple fix for a potentially bad problem! Glad I pulled everything apart anyway. Learned a lot about the system.