I drilled the plug on my small block this time around, I don't have enough time on it to say if it worked but it can't hurt. On my last tear down i was surprised to learn that the gear did show some weat after 4500 or so miles. But the bushing in the block was smoked.

I did end up drilling the plug at the end of the galley at a slight angle and I was able to aim it at the gear better after seeing how it sprayed while pre oiling. That is an easy decision to make when drilling a easy to replace plug, it would be tough drilling a block like that.