Block oil port?

[avfan]

ok I am still a newbie here, but you guys seem to know your stuff and I had a small problem that I don't want to have to go through again.
On the front of the block,with the head off there is a small oil? port with a brass looking insert and a small ball.Looks like a check valve in miniature or something.I just had to replace the head gasket because I blew it out at that spot and soaked my timing belt with oil and also blew out into cyl. #1 and fouled that cyl. out. have any of you had this happen,or hear of it ? Also any ideas on what caused it? thanks

[geozukigti]

A headgasket can blow anywhere. Could have been running hot on that side, or could have been a manufacturers defect, anything. That valve is a flow valve. Prevents too much oil from going straight to the head. Keeping pressure in the main bearings and more oil flow to cool the pistons. make sure that doesn't fall out. Could lead to pre-mature engine failure.