If you cannot get a stream out of the oiler even under pressure it is indeed
stopped up. It may take a fine drill (#80 or maybe bigger) to get it
open. Don't forget the main stem - there may be stuff packed in the far
end.

Going from steel gears back to fiber is a step (or maybe 5 or 6) backward.
Examine the teeth on the steel gears carefully and see if they are galled.
If they are still relatively smooth, go ahead and use them. With proper lube
(which they were obviously not getting) they should eventually quiet down,
and will probably be quite a bit quieter from the start.

If you do change to fiber gears remember they are different pitch so you will
have to change both gears.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!