Do I need an FE side oiler?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by SoTxButler

Just a couple of things to help you out:

1. 427 FE came in center oiler (sometimes called top oiler) and side oiler configuration. The Center oiler oils the valve train first and then the mains. The side oiler oils mains first then up to the valve train. The side oilers lasted longer in long distance racing and were configured that way because Ford was having issues with the center oilers losing the bottom end.

2. Some center oilers also had side oiler casting, just were not drilled. Early ones '63 & '64 did not have the side oiler casting.

3. All 427 blocks (center and side) were solid lifter blocks until sometime in '67 or '68 when the hydraulic lifter block came out.

They all sound the same..and unless someone gets up under your car to look at the driver side of the block, one one will know which one you have. Of course the above relates to the originals...not so familiar with the specifics of all the aluminum aftermarket blocks. In fact...all FE's sound the same...a 390 will sound the same as a 427 with the same cam, etc.

If you are only looking for the sound...get whatever one you can find, unless you are planning to go racing for 500 miles at a time...if so, you should probably try to get a side oiler.

I'm am not expert but hope this helps

Yes, this helps a lot!! Thanks for the bit of history lesson too!