The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rocker Arm Issue

Hello all,
y Today, with the guidance of a fellow bolter, I adjusted my valves. After getting them adjusted, we felt like we see if the rocker arm assembly was getting proper oil. We found that the rear portion was getting plenty oil. Well, plenty for a 216 anyway. However the front half, not so much. Was getting very little. Even at a 216 standards. We made the decision to take it apart. Thinking, something is clogged. But, we found no such issue. What we did find, is a burr inside each of the front rocker arms. It is kind of a football shape. It's located directly across from the weep hole, and runs across the oiling grove. I attempted to attach a picture. But, it said the file was to big. Hopefully, you can get the idea. Has anybody experience anything like this before? If so, what is my best option? If I could just carefully file it down, would be my preference. Wouldn't cost anything but my time.

As always, any advice or help that you can lend would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rugo

I'd suggest a Dremel tool instead of a file, and a flame-shaped fine grit grinding burr. Don't take any more material off than necessary to smooth things out.
Jerry

I believe the spot you are seeing inside each rocker is where the rocker has not worn. That is because that spot is over the oil supply hole in the shaft.
If you want a patch job you could grind or file that high spot. That would help with oil flow, but accurate/ quiet valve adjustment will be questionable.
I would look for a better rocker assembly.

Jerry,I think that I am going to tackle them with a Dremel. That does seem like a very good alternative. I feel pretty comfortable using one. Will be sure not to take off any more material than necessary. Dave, my valves were so far out of adjustment and noisy. I am sure that they will be quieter than they were when we started. Even if the adjustments may not be as accurate as the could be, with all new pieces. As always, I really appreciate your advice and guidance.

Rugo

I was thinking about this today, and although grinding down the "burr" may let more oil out of the shaft it may still not get up to the vent hole.
If you add the height of the "burr" plus shaft wear, the top of the shaft will be that far from the top of the rocker shaft bore.
There is likely to be quite a gap for any oil to jump. Most of the oil will likely leak out the sides of the rockers before reaching the vent hole.

You may be right Dave, However, I have already taken the time to grind down the burrs. I am going to go ahead and reinstall all of the rocker arm assembly back in the truck. No telling how long it had been operating with the burrs. It was getting some oil. I would think, even it doesn't get the maximum amount of oil, it has to be better than it was. If I had to plan on my truck as a daily driver, I would be far more apt to replace the rocker assembly. But,it is just a weekend driver, around town. There may come a time that I will have to replace the assembly. For now, I think I will give this a try. Thank you for taking the time to think it over and respond to my question. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and guidance with me.

Rugo

All I know is, most of what I had taken for gospel on lubrication isn't necessarily correct. You don't need a lot of oil for lubrication, any excess serves to draw away the heat produced by friction, and pressure. At any rate, there is rocker shaft bushing kit on ebay, with a new shaft and bushings that get put into the rocker arms, these will of course need to be machined. There are probably other places that do it, but I had mine done through Larrowe and sons, I think they farmed them out, but nonetheless it was first class job, and it wasn't too expensive. (it has been a long time)

http://tinyurl.com/y9faoud2

That rocker arm bushing setup wouldn't be difficult to duplicate with a tool post grinder and a couple of chucking reamers, as long as a bolter has a lathe and a little bit of machining experience. Grind the rocker shaft down a few thousandths to smooth up any wear, ream the rockers slightly oversize, and press the bushings in. Tooling up to make the first set would be a little pricey, but the cost could be amortized by selling the re-bushed assemblies on an exchange basis, similar to what starter and generator rebuilders do.
Jerry