New to AC with a WC, rocker shaft / oil pressure

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   I bought my first ever Allis Chalmers which is a 1936 WC. It appears to have a 1947 electric start engine in it. I got a great deal on it and it's in nice condition and runs great.
When it gets warm the oil pressure gets a little lower than I would like. I'm running a Fram filter with straight 30 weight oil. I tried switching back to the Carquest filter that was on it with no change. The filter standpipe is in place. I added one washer under the oil pressure relief valve cap and did pick up some pressure. I think a switch to 20w50 oil may be what I need. But I also recently learned that the rocker arm shaft is somewhat pressurized and sealed on the ends with cork. I'm guessing I may need those corks replaced. Would this be responsible for the lower oil pressure? I have a parts book and have the part number for the corks but nothing really comes up online. Are people just making these? It seems like driving in a freeze plug would be a better idea. Anyone do this? What size? Any other comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

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Blown331 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 16 Jun 2025 Location: Waterloo IL Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Blown331 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: New to AC with a WC, rocker shaft / oil pressure Posted: 12 hours 39 minutes ago at 5:38pm
	I bought my first ever Allis Chalmers which is a 1936 WC. It appears to have a 1947 electric start engine in it. I got a great deal on it and it's in nice condition and runs great. When it gets warm the oil pressure gets a little lower than I would like. I'm running a Fram filter with straight 30 weight oil. I tried switching back to the Carquest filter that was on it with no change. The filter standpipe is in place. I added one washer under the oil pressure relief valve cap and did pick up some pressure. I think a switch to 20w50 oil may be what I need. But I also recently learned that the rocker arm shaft is somewhat pressurized and sealed on the ends with cork. I'm guessing I may need those corks replaced. Would this be responsible for the lower oil pressure? I have a parts book and have the part number for the corks but nothing really comes up online. Are people just making these? It seems like driving in a freeze plug would be a better idea. Anyone do this? What size? Any other comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

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steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 86624	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 hours 10 minutes ago at 6:07pm
	what is the pressure ? These engines dont need or have a LOT of pressure..
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.

evan austin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 01 Jul 2021 Location: Gaston Indiana Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote evan austin Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 11 hours 26 minutes ago at 6:51pm
	When I had my WD45 engine apart last year, I think I used tapered rubber plugs in the ends of the rocker shaft instead of corks. I think I had to trim some off of the smaller end because they were long, but I oiled them up and they pressed right in. Still use the cotter pin behind them to keep them from blowing out. Not sure what the real manual calls for, but the I&T manual says that normal oil pressure is 11psi. Or, like my operators manual says, somewhere between the "O" and the "M" of "NORMAL" on the gauge