Hi Gents, anyone did a hole between valve lifters to make better oil pour onto camshaft and fuel pump as shown in the Doc's book? I did that lately and felt during the drilling like I got through the water jacket, or like there was a milder material inside. However, after inspecting the hole I can not see an evidence I broke through to water jacket. Anyone can advise me if casts are thick or thin in that place and if I need to hot presure check the block now? Thanks

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Rad

The water jacket is up around the cylinders and in the head. There is no water in the region of the oil pump.

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The water jacket is pretty close to the fuel pump arm "pocket" so there is a chance that you can hit the edge of the water jacket.
This new oiling hole should be start completely inside that deep fuel pump arm clearance depression and the hole needs to angle outwards, away from the cylinders / water jacket.
If in doubt, tap out the new hole and install a threaded plug, with epoxy.
DD

This happened to me. I confirmed by blowing compressed air in the drilled hole and could hear it coming out of the water pump cavity. To fix it I did as Doc recommended and tapped the hole for 5/16” threads and epoxied a headless bolt in there. I did an much better job of drilling the second hole. So far no leaks.

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1975 Dodge D100 225 c.i., HEI, Offenhauser Four Barrel Intake, Parallel-mounted 500 CFM Edelbrock, Split Cast Iron Exhaust, 904 auto, 9.25" 3.55:1

Thanks Gents, here are some photos of what I did. Although, I can't see a hole in the drilled shaft, no air bobbles through the hole either to the jacket either, can you please ensure me I am good to go? Or need to bolt it anyway? My concern is that during drilling I felt milder material so I might be v. close to water jacket and under high temp a leak can develop...

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Rad

Looks like the new hole is located OK but you never really know what-is-where with sand castings...

Play it safe by tapping out the hole and fitting a plug that can later be added / removed from the top, with the valve cover off.
Then decide if you want to start the engine with the plug in... or out.
DD

Couldn’t the water jacket be pressure tested with a cooling system pressure tester?

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