383 stock rocker shaft assembly question

ofb383

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Firstly, I hope you've all had a nice Christmas :thumbsup:

My question to you, should the pressed out stock steel rockers be a nice snug fit to the shaft, maybe a few thou clearance or so ?
I know all the aftermarket stuff is either bushed or needle bearing, so I guess the stock set up is similar in intention to have a smooth rocking motion but no real play ?

I've looked though the manual I have but not seeing any spec for ware or serviceable clearance ? have I over looked it ?
I'll wait until I have a few comments / opinions before I say why I may have concerns:rolleyes:

Thanks guys :thumbsup:
 
Firstly, I hope you've all had a nice Christmas :thumbsup:
My question to you, should the pressed out stock steel rockers be a nice snug fit to the shaft, maybe a few thou clearance or so ?
Your question is somewhat confusing? Pressed out rockers should slide on & off the shaft with no resistance, like you say, a mil or 3. If they don't, look at the shaft and see if someone's over torqued it and squashed the shaft. Don't forget that the hole holes point DOWN on reassembly. Good Luck
 
OK, what I'm trying to find out is, are my rockers completely worn out, I don't believe they should move around like that, but I have nothing to compare with or spec to check
 
OK, what I'm trying to find out is, are my rockers completely worn out, I don't believe they should move around like that, but I have nothing to compare with or spec to check


The pressed rockers are held in place by spring tension and the push rods. It is normal for them to have some motion which is why this style rocker is not suitable for high RPM, hi lift applications. If you are running a stock camshaft, the looseness is nothing to worry about. For your own piece of mind, remove one of the rocker shafts and inspect the lower side, as long as there are not deep grooves cut into it from lack of oiling you are good to go.

Dave
 
Ok, that still looks quite a sloppy set up but I'll pull them and have a look.
Cam that's gone in is approx .462 / .470
 
If you look at that video when you wiggle and push on the rocker, you will see that the push rod is compressing into the slack in the lifter. Looks solid to me. The real question to the shape of your valve train is, Do you have any top end knocking/noise going on that would indicate a problem? If it's quite, leave well enough alone.
 
If you look at that video when you wiggle and push on the rocker, you will see that the push rod is compressing into the slack in the lifter. Looks solid to me. The real question to the shape of your valve train is, Do you have any top end knocking/noise going on that would indicate a problem? If it's quite, leave well enough alone.
No noise, was smooth running before I stripped the top end
 
I think, by design they are gonna still work well although they have become quite sloppy. There is only ever tension, one way, and in one place; the bottom. Stamped factory rockers are on hydraulic set-ups and any sloppiness is taken up by the pump-up lifter. It takes a lot of wear before this becomes a noticeable issue on the brunt of cars. If they are clean, and still difficult to slide rockers or spacers on and off, then someone has ruined the shaft by overtightening.
 
I think, by design they are gonna still work well although they have become quite sloppy. There is only ever tension, one way, and in one place; the bottom. Stamped factory rockers are on hydraulic set-ups and any sloppiness is taken up by the pump-up lifter. It takes a lot of wear before this becomes a noticeable issue on the brunt of cars. If they are clean, and still difficult to slide rockers or spacers on and off, then someone has ruined the shaft by overtightening.
I will pull them tomorrow and have a good look over them for the sake of 5 minutes work. The main thing is that it seems this is common for the factory stamped rockers and that they are not just completely worn out.
Was better to ask you guys than either just carry on or waste unnecessary money on replacements.:thumbsup:
 
When the shafts are off of the engine then the stock stamped rockers have lots of movement, they are not tight to the shafts. This is normal.

Yes the oil hole goes down, but also it is not in line with the bolt holes, so the oil hole goes in towards the center of the engine.
 
When the shafts are off of the engine then the stock stamped rockers have lots of movement, they are not tight to the shafts. This is normal. Yes the oil hole goes down, but also it is not in line with the bolt holes, so the oil hole goes in towards the center of the engine.
Agree: On 440, oil comes into rocker shaft thru a diagonal passage from #4 cam bearing. The rocker shaft lubes each rocker thru holes in the bottom of the shaft.
Also agree that the rocker movement is normal.
Edited due to @Big_John SEE CORRECTION BELOW
 
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Next thing you'll know is that he'll be telling us that the heads aren't interchangeable from left to right!
Maybe he's referring to the fact you could pick up the complete assembly and walk around the car and place it on the other bank?
 
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