The 'E' Type Forum

Cam oil lines

I am building a series 2 from boxes, in the main doing OK but have come across an issue regarding the fitting of the cam oil lines.

First, does the oil line get its oil from the Main brg drill lines that are all plugged, if so mine does not fit so what kind of fitting is used. Also I have a fitting thattunnel rush looks OK but its threads are fine not coarse like my new ones and it had an orifice in it is this the right fitting.

Second if I fit a union without the orifice will I starve the mains?

Post photo's of what you have. On a S2 the cam feed come from a banjo fitting in the rear corner of the block next to the dipstick...Steve

I believe pretty much all the XK engines were fed from a banjo union near the dip stick. The original pipework was rigid with the banjos brazed on and after many years of vibration could suddenly let go....most of the suppliers can provide a braided hose replacement along with the copper washers etc....

Mine worked loose after many years - fortunately I caught it before potential disaster. It was finger tight.

From around 1976 XK engines moved the oil feed for the camshafts to a take off on the oil filter housing.

If your engine originates from a later car than your S2 then it's possible you'll have the oil filter housing take off to the camshafts or a later oil filter housing could have been been fitted to your S2 engine as part of a spin off oil filter conversion.

I stand corrected

The braided cam oil lines do not have the same orafic dimensions as the original pipe and fittings...in my experiance they are smaller and could result in reduced flow...typically they are supplied as a kit with non standard sealing washers this also ofsets the oil flow holes if you look carefully...original is best if it isn't damaged...Steve