VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Timing Gear Oil Nozzle

Do the timing gears get enough lubrication if the oil nozzle is stopped up? Working on a 1933 Master engine, the oil nozzle was clogged and a sewing needle was the only thing I could find small enough to unclog it. The gears are in good condition and must have been oiled from the front cam bearing. Does a clogged oil nozzle cause timing gear failure?

The lack of lubrication certainly wont prolong the life of the gears.
I would be clearing the opening and ensuring a good flow of oil to the nozzle.
Tony

Dave,
All that is needed to lube the gears is a frequent drip, not a continuous stream. As you can tell from the size of the hole in the nozzle the flow rate is low. The gears will also get some lubricant from oil coming out of the front crankshaft bearing particularly if it pools a bit before draining back into the pan. I would not think just lube from that source would be enough long term.

The timing gear oil nozzle gets its oil from the front cam bearing run-off It is not fed to the nozzel under pressure (until 1949).The most common problem is the oil passage that is cut into the pack of the front mounting plate is plugged with sludge. The front mounting plate must be removed and area cleaned. With no oil the gears will not last long and their failure is usually cased by the plugged passage. The nozzel hole was enlarged in the later years and the nozzel with the enlarged opening was sold as the replacement for the early years.

This 1933 engine was very dirty inside with lots of sludge in the oil pan. The oil passages in the nozzle and behind the plate were completely blocked. I can't find any wear or damage to the timing gears.

The oiler was blocked on my '38 by a piece of old orange silicone. I'd never seen the oiler before and was amazed at how small the hole was. I say was because I made it larger before reinstalling it. I believe I used a 1/64" bit.