Camshaft Oiling with Non-scrolled Rocker spindles

Hello All, I have recently finished a total rebuild of my Atlas motor which included updating the oil pump to the later Commando six start variety with forced oil feed to the rockers. The conversion included fitting Commando non-scrolled rocker spindles which restrict oil flow thus preventing over oiling of the head. My concern is that the later style rocker spindles will also limit the amount of oil returning down pushrod tunnels and lubricates the camshaft. If flow to the head is restricted by the non-scrolled rockers are you not in turn restricting return flow to the camshaft? I presume some oil is being flung off of the rotating crankshaft and reaching the camshaft but is this sufficient especially at idle?

You are restricting the supply but only back to what it was before with lower pressure and scrolled rocker spindles, end result should be same amount of oil. Rebuilding the oilbath under the camshaft so there always oil present even for startup is the best option, this dissappeared over the years as the cams got wilder. As you already have the engine together and can't do that using a high zinc oil is best for the sliding cam followers over a cam, the latest spec car oils have low zinc due to zinc killing catalytic converters so a diesel spec oil should be a better bet for high zinc.

Thanks for the reply Kommando. Guess I might just be a little nervous after my first "performance" Norton build. After making a lot of changes to the motor at once, high flow pump, superblends, PW3 camshaft, vernier, lightened valve train, 10 to1 compression, etc...etc...etc... you really start to find yourself in uncharted waters. My one lonely Atlas manual has now morphed into a library of supplemental literature...Commando Workshop Manuals...Roy Bacon's Norton Twin Restoration book...Cam spec sheets...Dunstall Tuning... Anyway, I'd hate to see the whole lot implode for lack of oil :cry: I did get a chance to run the engine without rocker covers and saw oil in rocker valleys but not much in the way of measurable oil flow from the rockers/spindles which is why I began to question flow to the cam in the first place. When the covers are off should I be seeing a noticeable oil spray or flow at idle? Thanks again for the info!

You have fitted the 6 start pump, have you also rerouted the rocker oil feed from the oil return pipe to the bleed of the pressure side of the pump? If you haven't done this that may explain you not seeing too much oil, can't remember the last time I ran the bike with a rocker cover off to tell you if what you are seeing is too little or normal.

Thanks Kommando, I did reroute the rocker oil feed from the low pressure tank return to pressure side of the timing cover, although I haven't got around to checking the pressure yet.

A pressure test will tell you its connected properly at the bottom and there is resistance at the top, for the flow you can install a temporary clear pipe and see the flow. Only fit this pipe for the test only, a leak of this pipe will rapidly empty the oil tank and reduce big end pressure.