Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 642

6A-22 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
Fig.
6A-25
Timing Gear Lubrication
(6
Cyl.)
6 CYLINDER
Oil is directed through the full flow oil filter and then to
the main gallery (Fig. 6A-24). The main gallery intersects
the lifter bores and serves as both the main and lifter
gallery where oil holes direct oil through passages to the
camshaft bearings and main bearings. Drilled passages in
the crankshaft direct oil from the main bearings to the
connecting rod bearings. Oil from each lifter is directed up
through hollow push rods to the rocker arms. Oil then
passes through a hole in the push rod contact area of the
rocker arm and fills it. This supply lubricates the rocker
arm ball. Overflow lubricates the top of the valve stem and
other valve train surfaces.
Timing gears are lubricated by oil which is supplied
through a passage from the front of the camshaft to a
calibrated nozzle above the crankshaft gear (Fig. 6A-25).
Cylinder walls are lubricated with oil splash from the
connecting rods and crankshaft as they rotate.
OIL FILTER
V-8 AND 6 CYL.
A full flow oil filter is standard equipment on the engine.
The filter is mounted on a machined boss on the right
front side (6 cyl.) and right rear side (V-8 except 307) of
the engine block.
The filter on the 307 V-8 is located on the left rear of the
block.
All oil from the pump passes through the filter before
going to the engine oil galleries. In the filter, the oil passes
through a filtering element where all dirt and foreign par-
ticles are removed.
A by-pass valve is located in the filter base casting to
insure ample lubrication in case the filter element becomes
restricted. Thus, if required, oil will flow directly through
the spring-loaded, by-pass valve without any possibility of
washing accumulated dirt off the filter element.
SERVICE OPERATIONS
ENGINE OIL
See GENERAL LUBRICATION SECTION.
OIL PUMP
See SECTION 6 (ENGINE MECHANICAL)
OIL FILTER
REMOVE AND REPLACE
Install a new oil filter at the first oil change and then every
other oil change thereafter.
1. Turn filter counterclockwise to unscrew filter from
base (Fig. 6A-26, 6A-27 and 6A-28).
Fig.
6A-26
Oil Filter Location
(6
Cyl.)