oiling · FF-0407

What are the baffles in the Flathead lifter valley for?

Steve says he does not know the complete reason. They are Ford pieces found on every Flathead. An oil line off the pump runs there and feeds the cam bearings, and the covers sit over the drain holes in the valley. His guess is that they act as a baffle, keeping oil flung off the crank out of the top of the engine, where nothing needs it.

Expert

Steve Coppock

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

valley baffles

Applicable scope

Ford Flathead V8, early and 8BA-style blocks