Are the camshaft oil wells in the head supposed to drain?

[Fleetw00d]

Are the oil wells in the head supposed to drain at all? Seems to me that any time I pull a valve cover, the wells are full of oil.

I noticed today when checking cylinder leakage that there wasn't much oil in them and the cam seemed hard to turn. How far does the car need to be tilted forward or back for them to drain? I had it on a tow dolly (front end high) and climbed some hills getting it home - think that would be enough to mostly drain them? I may fill them with oil now that it is sitting level and see if it drains. I'll see the condition of the cam bearings when I pull the rocker assembly.

[Grumpys93]

I don't believe so, as my head as well doesn't drain and neither did the h22. I believe oil is suppose to pool there to ensure the camshaft gets some kind of oil on its lobes

[Fleetw00d]

Pulled the rocker assembly and camshaft; bearings look good; more oil in the wells than it looked like before. Must have just spilled out while getting the car home.

Edit: Spoke too soon, the lower journal at the driver end looks a little scored. OEM manual allows a little room for polishing.

[PR CB7]

Yeah, they just pool this helps with cold starts, the lobe has oil available to dip and start.

[rustyaccord]

It's pretty ingenious on Honda's part. There aren't many other engine designs that ensure the cam always has a supply of oil on startup. Plus, I assume the walls of the oil "trough" also contribute to the overall strength of the head.