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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 153 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2011 Posts: 153 | Putting in new rocker arm shafts on a 1954 Chevy 235 motor. New shafts are from Jim Carters Truck parts. Noticed that the old shafts have a 1/2" diameter hole that runs the length of the shaft. The new ones only have a 3/8" diameter hole which is the same size as the bolts that hold the whole rocker arm assembly to the head. The oil is pumped into the center of the shafts and is distributed to the rocker arms, but it would seem that the oil will not be able to go past the 3/8" diameter bolts and fill the inside of the entire shafts as it should. Anyone else run into this issue? I guess I assumed these new shafts would be made like the old ones, they need a larger diameter hole in them to let oil go past the bolts. Any comments are welcome.
Thanks, Tom | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | With the small volume of oil needed to lubricate the rockers, whatever oil gets past the bolts should be sufficient, particularly if you're using rocker shafts with the full pressure oiling. If you're concerned about getting a little more pressure to the rocker shafts and you've got the type of oil connector in the middle of the two shafts that has a drain tube, pinch it off almost all the way to raise the pressure in the shafts. You could also chuck the rocker stand bolts into a drill press and file a small relief in the bolt shank in line with the tube center bore to facilitate better oil flow.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 153 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2011 Posts: 153 | Jerry,
Maybe it will be OK per your information. I do like the idea of putting a small relief in the bolts however, I might do that for my own satisfaction, I'm sure it won't take much. Also, yes the oil connector in the middle of the two shafts has a drain tube and appears to be pinched off. Thanks for the information.
Tom | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | I'm working on an idea to salvage worn rocker shafts by grinding them down in a lathe with a tool post grinder to 18MM diameter, and fitting the rocker arms with 18MM ID Torrington roller bearings. Those shafts are harder than woodpecker lips- - - -all the way through!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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