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Rocker shaft rebuild

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BOBBYR

BOBBYR

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Hi Guys,
I got my parts in from Moss today so I thought this weekend would be a good time to find out if that's where my oil pressure is going.I was wondering,how many of you have rebuilt a rocker shaft?With the right parts it looks pretty easy.Is there anything I should beware of before I get into this?Like I said,I have to test it first but alot of you seem to think this could be the problem.All help is appreciated.
Bobby R
 
If you ordered parts to rebuild the rocker shaft assembly, were the parts in white boxes?
 
Hi Guys,
I've only bought a valve cover gasket up to now.I just wanted to lift off the valve to see if the rocker shaft is pouring out too much oil.I want to be able to close up this engine as soon as I get done testing.If I need a rocker assembly I would like to build it myself so I guess I'm looking for who would be the best supplier of parts as far as quality.Let me know what you think when you get a chance.Thanks for your help.
Bobby R
 
There are others much more expert than I am, but I sent mine away to be done because each of the pedestals has to have the bronze bush removed and a new one installed, then reamed to fit the new rocker shaft. Unless you're set up for this type of machining, I wouldn't try it. I'd check out Healey Surgeons in Maryland to have this done. My rocker shaft was worn badly on the bottom -- big grooves--and oil poured out from the pedestals and there was a lot of blue smoke in the exhaust from the valve cover breather that goes into the carb. With valve cover off, there will be geysers of oil spraying all over if the shaft is worn.

I just remembered, what the vendor did was use an oversize rocker shaft and reamed out the existing bushings to take the new larger shaft.
 
Option B: Don't rebuild, get a new roller rocker assembly. This is a higher ratio 1:1.55 from Rocker Arm Specialists mentioned in your other thread. They have a 1:1.5 also, which is closer to stock.
 

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I used the 1.6 from Rocker Arm Specialists with no problems other than a need to shim the banjo oil fitting with a couple of extra copper washers in order to give clearance over the rocker itself.

Be very careful of the banjo bolt--they strip easily.

Pictures at https://www.pbase.com/stevegerow
 
I'm sorry I don't remember. I was trying to fix the blow-by (blue engine smoke out the tailpipe.
 
quick tip re. banjo fitting : after 'hours'of trying to screw it back together and not strip I loosened all the rocker hold down bolts which allowed the the assembly to move, the banjo self aligned, went in easily, the hold down bolts could then be retightened.I used a professionally rebuilt part exchange assembly: the beneficial result to both oil pressure and consumption have been quite remarkable -- and no more smoke out the back on start-up.
 
Hi John,
Thank you for your response.I haven't gotten the time to get into this rocker assembly yet.When you get the chance, could you let me know where you bought your rocker assembly.I appreciate your help.
Bobby R
 
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