MTFCA Forum

My oil line has a few worn spots on it and the mag bolt was leaking through the terminal so I picked up a new oil line kit. My old line ran along the right side and under the generator to a bolt/fitting horizontaly into the block. The new kit instructions show removing a timing cover bolt on the left side under the spark rod and replacing with a supplied steel bolt/fitting pointing straight down.
Looking at tube placement, It seems like the left side is safer, away from the exhaust pipe but the tube may conflict with the spark rod if on the left side. The old tube bolt/fitting is an oddball having a hydraulic taper connection on one end and its worn at the taper. I doubt I could find a replacement. I could replace that with a standard bolt if I went to the left side. Is there any big difference either side for oil flow?

Left side is fine, the fitting pours the oil on the timing gears.


Careful fitting of the timer rod won't cause any problem with that oil fitting bolt.

As far as I know, which side the line is on doesn't matter. It should be kept as short and straight as practical to allow full flow and prevent clogging. Remember that you have very little pressure to work with, and oil has viscosity. I'd want a 3/8" ID line to allow free flow.

I don’t like the mag bolt oil line because the opening is so small, very little oil gets to the front. I much prefer the high volume oil line kit with the hogshead scoop in line with the revolving magnets that force oil into the scoop and through the oil line that goes down the driver’s side of the engine and enters the crankcase between the first and second bearings. Jim Patrick

I'l go with the left side. It looks like it will be tough getting a wrench on the coupling nut but the routing doesnt look bad. The line is 5/16 OD. I picked up a farrell and plan on making a brass plug for the bolt under the generator. The full flow system looks great, maybe a future project.

I use the magneto plug type with the line on the left side. Only need to be careful of the fit not interfering with the timer rod. Personal experience on my first T the first time I took it out for a drive the magneto stopped working. Drove it for about 10 years and I had rewound several magneto coil rings so I decided to pull the engine to fix the magneto. I found the funnel for the original Ford oil line laying at the bottom of the crankcase which had cut the coil ring causing the magneto to stop. So I had driven on battery for 10 years and gone on the Canyonlands Tour in Utah which has much uphill driving and around home which also has uphill driving. The bearings were fine and no problems just running on what was left of the original oil line without the funnel and the magneto plug timer. The high volume line which is liked by Jim. Works good but what I don't like about it is you need to modify the hogs head.
Norm

When I installed one of the magneto-located oilers, I had to re-bend the timer rod to clear the front bearing bolt. It took me 5-6 iterations to get the rod to clear the bolt AND have the timing correct.

My timing rod has all kinds of curvy bends in it, I think someone got it right after many tries. I wouldnt want to mess with it. My timing is set up right. I had my throttle rod on and off a bunch of times trying to get it not to hit the crankcase hole.

I would advise fabricating brackets near both ends. These engines vibrate so much, fatigue breaks will occur if you do not. Been there, done that.