• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A TR Rocker Arm Spacers

Share this page

T

Tropical TR

Jedi Hopeful
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Would be interested to hear from those who are using metal or nylon rocker arm spacers available from various sources as a replacement for the original springs, due to spring wear or perceived improvement; also from those who see no need whatsoever to ever replace the spring spacers. To my knowledge there are no reproduction springs out there.

Regards,

Walter
 
When I replace my rocker shaft I went with the metal spacer. Can't tell any difference in noise or performance. I didn't need to change to the spacers just did.

Don
 
Must be a source out there somewhere. The shaft assemblies that I got back from Rocker Arm Specialists certainly had new springs on them. The company has gone through some changes since then (original owner retired), and is now called Rocker Arms Unlimited; but you might give them a call and see if they will sell you just the springs. Or better yet, IMO, talk to them about rebuilding your shaft. When I had mine done, the cost including shipping both ways was about the same as I would have to pay just for the parts, and the result came back looking great.
https://www.rockerarms.com/pages/about.html
 
Thanks, Don and Randall. Randal, that's an interesting company. Was it general wear or some customizing that prompted you to use them?

Walter
 
Just general wear, typical of high mileage TR3A motors. The shaft had big grooves in it where the rockers rode (on the bottom of course) and the bushings in the rockers were worn out as well. The rocker tips were worn until it was impossible to set the valves accurately. The springs hadn't broken yet, but there were sections where the spring wire was clearly worn (and matching marks in the shaft & rockers). The wear in the adjusters wasn't obvious to me, but I'm sure they were worn as well. And of course the locknuts were all somewhat mangled from the wrench slipping off at one time or another.

The only things they obviously didn't replace were the end caps and pedestals. I have to believe they just reconditioned the rockers, but they looked new as did the shaft.

I learned about them from a "tech tip" originally published in the local club newsletter way back in 1989. It had basically the same spiel you can read on their web site today, about hard chroming and centerless grinding, etc.
 
Rocker Arms Unlimited is located in the town that I live in. So when I needed rocker work I went to their business. I was absolutely blown away when I walked in with a box of three rocker arms--dirty and very well used. I sat them on the counter and the guy looked at them and his first question to me before I said ANYTHING was ..." Are these off of a TR3 or TR4? At that point I knew I had made a great choice of where to go to get them worked on. The resulting work was very good. I also understand that even TRF sends their work to these guys.
Charley
 
They did mine too, came back beautiful, couldn't believe how nice of a job they did, Back then it was around $120 and worth every penny.
 
Thanks Randall, Charlie and Peter and Don. If my engine were not already undergoing rebuild in another shop, I would be looking to this company for the rocker shaft work. But will check them out for the springs.

Regards,

Walter
 
Back
Top