TR2/3/3A Bolting the rocker shaft

[sp53]

Bolting the rocker shaft with just lock washers seems wrongto me because the lock washer cuts into the aluminum pedestal. Moreover, my pedestalsappear to be dished right where the washer goes. Clearly, I could put a flatwasher down first, but because of the dish in the pedestal I feel there wouldnot as much holding surface. I do not know. I think I am going to just put thelock washer down and torque things down. Anybody else feel that this wrong.

 

[CJD]

Actually, Carrol Smith addresses this same issue in several of his engineering for racing books. His view is that the split lock waher is worthless. When the bolt is torqued, the washer is flat and provides no extra holding power. The only way the washer helps is if the bolt is already loose...and by then it's too late! Also, they really are not meant for aluminum, since they cut into it during removal, as you see. The TR2 started with iron pedestals, and they obviously forgot to switch to flat washers after the change to aluminum.

If it bothers you a lot, you can file the top of the pedestal flat and go with flat washers. Jaguar used flat washers with knurling that seem to be the best for aluminum. I don't know who carries them, though.

 

[TR3driver]

I've been using just hardened flat washers for a long time. Never had a problem with nuts working loose, and the tops of the original pedestals are still in reasonably good condition (even though they do bear scars from the old lock washers).

 

[PeterK]

ISTR VWs used to use Belleville-type spring washers https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-disc-springs/=ufrlmy on their aluminum alloy Beetle engines. I would think that they would work fine for holding the rocker assembly tight.