oil galley plug has small hole
 

I am in the process of assembling a 8BA engine and when I tried to removed the front oil galley plug I couldn't get it out. No big deal, I'll get it out later. So I start to pressure wash the block and low and behold there is a small hole (.06 or so) in the plug. Would this be there to oil the timing gear? I have never seen this before. Thanks

Re: oil galley plug has small hole
 

Yes.

Re: oil galley plug has small hole
 

There's no reason to add additional oil to that area of the engine.

The oil leakage by clearance design coming from the front cam bearing and front main bearing lubricates the gears perfectly. Having even such a small hole in the front plug is reducing the oil flow of oil which feeds three critical areas.

The critical areas are front cam bearing the front main bearing and lastly the number 1 and 5 rod bearings. Having a reduction in oil flow to those critical bearings is not a good idea.
Ronnieroadster

Re: oil galley plug has small hole
 

The oil hole in the front of an 8ba cam is considerably larger than the one in discussion and it is supplied directly from the front cam bearing surface.