The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop rocker arm shaft cleaning

I just got everything off the rocker arm shaft, which was quite a job in itself, but now I need to clean the thing up. What would be best to clean out the rocker arm shaft. There is a ton of that crusty oily stuff in there and the ends are plugged. Any sugguestions on how to clean this and the rocker arms would be appreciated. This is the only thing holding up my engine rebuild. Thanks.

I forgot to say, there is a picture of the disassembled parts on my webshots page and also a picture of my engine. Thanks for looking.

justin,

Those shafts can plug solid, and like you said, the stuff is nasty. The shaft ends that were to the center should be open, but the outboard ends are plugged. I don't remember what they are plugged with, maybe a small drive in soft plug affair.

The whole enchilada needs to be soaked in something like carburetor cleaner to soften and remove the crud. Removing the plug at the end of the shafts would be best, but not until you verify what is plugging them, and if a replacement is available. After removing the plug, you can 'rod' the bores with a coat hanger or something to help clear the gunk.

If you can find Toluene or Xylene in gallon cans at your local ACE hardware store, those items would be a winner to soak the stuff in.

Stuart

You can dig the gunk out of the inside using a long thin screwdriver. Soak in solvent until things soften up. If you can find one a small diameter bottle brush works well on the inside. 0000 steel wool will work well to clean the outside. Finish up with spray brake cleaner (doesn't leave residue behind), blow dry, lube up with assembly lube and put-er together.

[img]http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2891609840100058208IByfHq[/img]
Here is an illustration of what I am talking about. In the image, the red would be the inside of the concave plug. I am not sure what they are made from or where to get new ones, so I am hesitant to destroy them by taking them out. Does anybody know about these plugs?

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2891609840100058208IByfHq
I guess the way I tried to do it before did not work. Above is the link to the illustration that I posted on webshots.

It is very easy to tap the plugs out with a long punch or rod.

You can reuse the same plugs. You can use loctite on them if you feel they do not fit back in tight enough.

which way do you punch them out? It seems like the only way would be all the way through the shaft, unless you punched a hole in them and pried them out.

pay special attention to the oiling holes on the shafts ( top or to bottom ), if you totally disassemble . also each rocker arm location . been there done it : )

Run a long rod down the shaft and remove them out the short way.

There is one one each side of the rocker arm shaft, though. How would I get the first one out in order to open up the shaft to punch out the other one?

justin squire,

The rocker assembly splits into two halves at the center oiler. You will end up with the center oiler, front piece and back piece. The ends that went into the center oiler will be open, not plugged!

Stuart

Is this just on the 216/235 chevy engine? Or does the GMC 228 engine have a split rocker arm shaft?

justin squire,

Good question. I keep forgetting your rig is a GMC 228. I honestly don't know for sure.


Stuart

I dont know about your 228 but my 270 has a single shaft.

I have made some great progress since my last post. First, I punched through one of the freeze plugs. I used a tapered punch so the hole would get bigger the farther in the punch went. I made a big enough hole for a threaded rod about 1/16 of an inch smaller than the ID of the shaft. I stuck it in the shaft and punched out the opposite plug, then removed it and punched out the other one. It was pretty simple. I then used a wire to poke out the oiler holes and also used that same threaded rod to push paper towels through the shaft. After about 5 or 6 runs, it is looking pretty clean.
Freeze plugs: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2749225940100058208LBKTWu
Rocker shaft: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2679261390100058208bzJXdu
Not a very good picture: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2061608520100058208EJEhkQ
Method of cleaning: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2316390950100058208KNriov

Great job on the photo documentation.
Lookin' good.

I just took mine apart and discover the shafts were well worn. NAPA had a new set for $25. I'm soaking the rest of the parts in carb cleaner after brushing and wiping them semi-clean w/ paint thinner.