what's the difference top- vs sideoiler

[86Sebring]

Can someone explain the difference between these 2 versions of a 427.
What makes a sideoiler THE 427 vs a topoiler?
thanks

[Ron61]

The Side Oiler has a rib along the lower side of the block that is an oil tube cast into the block. This allows for better oiling of the bottom end under heavy running, a problem that the center oilers encountered at times.

Ron

[Woodz428]

To elaborate some on what Ron posted. The biggest difference is that the center oiler runs oil through the cam bearings and to the mains. The side oiler runs the oil through the mains to the cam bearings. Reversed priorities. I think that under most conditions a center oiler is fine, however under high stress conditions the side oiler is better IMO. Now if you are talking about an original block the center oilers are the oldest and likely the most used up. I also think that the side oiler , besides having a prioritized oiling system also went to "square" cylinder castings for more strength. If you are talking new aftermarket blocks none of that is really appicable since, I think, ALL the new blocks have better castings as well as thicker cylinders, center or side oiler.

[patrickt]

86Sebring, as Ron said, but that was many years ago and a good builder can now take any unmolested 427 or 428 and build it to have gobs of power, rev high safely, and the oiling system will do just fine. That said, extra webbing on the crank saddles for the 428 are nice to have as are the cross-bolts on the 427. If you're in the market, then that's something you should brush up on before purchasing.

[blykins]

About $1000.

[Bobcat]

To add to what has been said .... a friend of mine who was involved with NASCAR back in the late 60`s said the problem with the C/O was in the upper rpm range . At sustained high rpm , the bearings would fail ... which from the other posts makes sense . He claimed on the shorter tracks where they didn`t stay at max rpm as long , the C/O worked fine . When the S/O came along , he said it allowed them to run higher rpm for longer periods without bearing failures .

[patrickt]

This thread has a nice photo and some interesting dictum.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182...s+center+oiler

[rjbh20]

I believe that the alloy used to cast the side oiler blocks (some of them anyway) also had a higher nickel content and the castings were cooled more slowly to allow for a more uniform crystal structure in the iron

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rjbh20

I believe that the alloy used to cast the side oiler blocks (some of them anyway) also had a higher nickel content...

A myth. See: http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182...r+castings----

EDIT -- FElony's insight in to Nicole's contribution was later proven to be absolutely correct.

[767Jockey]

Just curious about this, I have heard of some top oilers that were cast as sideoilers but not "drilled" as sideoilers. Can this be done after the fact? Can a non drilled sideoiler be drilled to become a sideoiler? I only recently read that some of these blocks were out there and was curious as to if they could be modified in the field to be true sideoilers.

[FUNFER2]

Great information.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

. Can a non drilled sideoiler be drilled to become a sideoiler?

Sooner or later you'll see an FE block that looks like the shot below, and I remember a thread here on CC where Keith Craft talked about drilling them out, said he can and has done it, but recommended against it. Here's a thread from the FE forum that discusses it as well: http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182...oiler+question

[767Jockey]

Interesting, thanks Patrick.

[Goober]

I especially like Brents answer. Really close to the truth.
Kinda like do you like Rolex or Timex.

Mark

[WildBill1965]

Just remember what has been said, sustained high RPM. I don't think that any of us run around at sustained high RPM so for ocassional blasting I would think they would be OK, plenty of FE's out there without the side oiler being slammed regulary. Just my thought's.

[olddog]

In the days when 427 S/O thundered beside 426 Hemi cars, they were turning 7000 to 8000 rpm. Maybe a tad more. I saw a 428 spin a rod bearing short of 7000 (in a second) back in the day.

Today many FE are going to large strokers and people just do not turn them that high. Many improvements are now known, and I think a center oiler will servive in the 6K range quite nicely. I have my doubts that a factory block center oiler can live in the rpm range that a S/O can go to, but it is a moot point for the big strokers. With that type of money not too many are willing to push them to the limit. However a priority main oil system like a S/O is no doubt better. At least in my mind.

[Woodz428]

Originally Posted by olddog

However a priority main oil system like a S/O is no doubt better. At least in my mind.

I would agree with that myself. I've never had a rod bearing spin, but I can't imagine turning an engine up to 7000rpm for 500 miles either. There's just something comforting about knowing the oil is taking the best route through the engine
Now if someone wants to "comfort " me, send me an PM and I'll tell you where to ship that side-oiler block

[86Sebring]

thanks for great info
now what is the difference between a center- and a topoiler? Or are they the same?
thanks

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 86Sebring

now what is the difference between a center- and a topoiler?

Same block, different words.

[FUNFER2]

Same difference.