Just got the head rebuilt on ‘53 216 and am attempting to reinstall the rocker arm assembly. The machine shop also had the assembly to surface the tappets. Cannot get the rocker arm towers to seat with adjusters backed all the way out.Two intakes are holding it off the head. Hope my explanation makes sense"᠁Do I need to turn the engine over to drop the push rods? Have made a couple of attempts but something just doesn’t seem right. Any help would be appreciated
Remove the pushrods, then install the rockerarm assembly. Put the pushrods in last. Trying to install the rocker arm assembly with the push rods in place risks bending pushrods.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Anyone have any input on the difference in exhaust and intake rocker arms and their placement on the shaft? This is on a ‘53 216 Thanks
Your best bet is to get a repro shop manual (available on Amazon Link and other places). It has the PN's that are forged into the rockers to differentiate them and the placement.
Last edited by klhansen; 10/27/20215:04 AM. Reason: added link
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
In 1953, the 235 Powerglide-equipped car engine was a high-pressure engine; but, the 1953 truck engine and the 1953 non-Powerglide car engine were low pressure engines.
They had different heads and different numbers of head bolts (how many head bolts on your engine?).
Thanks. .The guy who rebuilt the head has offered to make the 45 minute drive to look but I feel bad as he did me right on the rebuild. Almost sure he got distracted when reassembling. The photo shows the casting line on top slighly off center whereas others are dead center. Trying to keep him from having to come out. Going to investigate a manual᠁.should have one anyway. Bummed cause it’s a rainy day, perfect for putting her back together. O well. Thanks again..
Nope, same push rods. Only the head and rocker arm assembly worked on. Found that 4 different styles of rockers are used in the assembly. See attached᠁.. now to compare with what I’ve got. Stand by ᠁᠁
Bingo! Disassembled and referred to manual, reassembled, dropped right in.. Not a journeyman mechanic for sure but decided to tackle this project. Has been interesting and simply getting more aquinted with the truck is good. Thanks again for the input.
