Rocker shaft problem

[billspit]

Last week I was trying to disassemble the rocker arms for my Spitfire project. The pedestals were on the rocker shaft so tight I could not get them off. I fought with every one and was scared I may have boogered some of the up. Is the shaft supposed to be <span style="text-decoration: underline">that</span> tight on the pedestals? I'm considering opening the pedestals up a little to reassemble.

 

[Moseso]

Apparently, they are supposed to be that tight. On my TR3, I gripped the shaft in a padded vise and used a length of 5/16" allthread through the mounting hole to twist-and-pull them off. I intend to put them back the same way on the new shaft. The real trick will be lining them up so they sit flat on the head. I think the act of torquing them down will line them up the last little bit. I am using Joe Alexander's solid spacers between the rocker arms, so I'm going to have to get the spacing right too.

 

[70herald]

Yep they will be tight. After lots of years, a tiny bit of corrosion will develop between the aluminum and the shaft, and they will be difficult to get off. Just clean them up and put them on the new shaft. I will probably be easier to get them on the new shaft than it was to get them off the old. A bit of oil will help.