I've seen some mixed info re: the need to enlarge the passenger-side oil gallery through at least the first 2 lifter bores when bushing a big blocks lifter bores. Apparently the concern is that the additional restriction caused by the bushings' larger OD restricts the oil flow at a critical point in the gallery.

Is this a legit concern, or another one of those older Direct Connection "rules" (like "Don't touch the short turn of the cylinder head port when using porting templates!") that were probably well intentioned but not necessarily correct? Thanks.

Brad, I have never heard of enlarging the passenger side oil galley on a BB for any reason, especailly when bushing the lifter bores Maybe some machine shops or engine builders wanted more work?

There's a section in Chuck Senatore's book on it, plus I came across a thread on SpeedTalk some time back that got into that mod, too.

I understand why some people think it makes sense to do it, but I don't know if it really needs to be done. As far as I know, the block I had bushed back in 1999 doesn't have that done.

Unless the bushing is really large, there should still be plenty of room for the oil to flow past. It is worth taking a look at the area on your block just to be sure.

UPDATE: I just called the shop that did my 452 block and he said he used to do that mod on Hemis years ago, but that was because he thought it helped w/ a bearing problem that turned out to be something else. He doesn’t do it any more and wouldn't have when he did my block, either.

I'm starting to think this is one of those things that while it makes sense, isn't necessarily the "must do" mod as it was described in the past.