VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Commercial Vehicles overhead valve oiling system

Friend bought a 1923 Stutz 4 cyl Model K firetruck. It had been sitting for 20 years in a shed with dirt floor. Motor was seized but we managed to get it unstuck and running. We oiled the overhead valve train and cyl walls before attepting to start. After running we could see no sign of lubrication coming to the rockers. I am used to Chevs with the oil line coming up to accomplish the oiling. This motor does not seem to have any visible means of oiling. Does anyone know how Stutz oiled their overhead valve system ??

Thanks

Dick

I don't know about the Stutz but my 24 Chevy requires you to manually oil the rockers from the oil can on the firewall. Might be the same on a Stutz.

Dave

Dave: You might be correct. When we removed the valve cover we were surprised that there was no gasket. Does your Chev use a gasket ?

Thanks for responding

Dick

There is not valve cover on a 24 so no gasket. Made it easier to get to but I imagine a mess from the roads of the day. Some of the later four cylinders had covers but I am not sure if they used gaskets.

Dave

Dave: Thanks again for responding. Maybe someone with a later 4 cyl will chime in regarding gasket under valve cover if their year uses the the manually self oiling method.

Dick

You are probably aware of this site but if not it has many knowledgeable folks on all makes of vehicles. You may try your question there.

http://forums.aaca.org/

Dave

There is a gasket shown for the later models in the 4 cylinder parts book, hope it helps.

Would love to see a picture of your friends Stutz fire truck!

Dave

Are the 4's with cover & gasket still manually oiled as yours? See what I can do on pic.

dick

Dave: Just sent you an e-mail

Dick

Dick, I don't think so. I could not find any piping or distribution to the top in the catalog and they show a felt pad for retaining oil under the cover. I don't have one so I am not positive. The picture of the engine on the AACA site looks dry. The pockets around the valves on mine are filled with oil. It's too bad he can't round up an owners or service manual.

Great picture of the Stutz. I would never of thought of one as a fire truck, very cool.

Dave

Interesting post in the 1912-1928 section and it looks like the 1928 was still manually oiled.

I believe the 1925-1928 4 bangers had rocker covers, used the felt pad to retain oil, and had gaskets (although I suspect they were mostly to keep out dirt and dust ).

The lube recommendations from the shop manual says to squirt some engine oil on the rockers every 50 miles, keep the pockets around the valve stems 1/2 full, and squirt some oil on the felt. The rocker arms hitting the felt created an oil mist around the rockers in between oiling.

For myself, I always squirt some oil on the rockers every time I go out for a drive, which is seldom for 50 miles. Just for peace of mind.

Besides, extra oil keeps the outside of the engine nicely lubed. ;-)

Cheers, Dean

Besides what was said above, if there is no well around the springs be sure to oil the valve stem too so the oil travels down the stem. The Chevrolet (at least my 28) head had a cup area at the top of the guide that held a little oil for sealing and lube. Yours may too. I have a 28 head adapted to a brand X car :) and at a car show this seemed to the be the number one question, re the valve oiling. People expected to see a valve cover to keep the oil in the car, but early Chevrolet being a "loss oil system" in regards to valve train oiling stumped a lot of people.