valve train

[gtrpicker]

Good evening,
USA 260E auto

The vehicle was purchased with known issues
I removed the valve cover today and the area is dry, there is no wet oil on the rockers or in the head cavities around the valves. Is this normal, is it a closed lubrication system with the tappets etc receiving oil with no splash or residual oil. The inside of the valve cover was dry albeit with a thin film of dried oil. Easily washed off with Castrol degreaser.
The engine is quiet with no tappet noise but it oils the plugs in a very short time when running
Thoughts anyone

Michael

 

[kid-jensen]

Head gasket problem allowing oil straight into the cylinders?

 

[television]

Thinking about this I have to agree with PaulG that the oil is not reaching the camshafts due to a head gasket leak