V8 Valve Rocker Arm & Spindle Clearances

Lovel

Lovel

Member
Having purchased a replacement set of rockers and shaft/spindles (non OE), I would like some advice on how the fit of the rocker arms should be on the spindle?

My car had the usual wear on the spindle and possibly rocker arms, so I purchased a new set, however when I trial fit the new assembly together the rocker arm is quite loose on the shaft. I can get a .004" feeler gauge between the arm and the spindle. I then tried the original rocker arms on the new spindle and get the same reading of .004".

This clearance seems to be excessive imo, and if you consider that the original rocker arms are possibly, but yet the clearance is the same in the worn rocker arm too concerns me a little.
 
I have seen this discussed on the V8 forum in the past, some new aftermarket rocker assemblies displaying more freeplay than the original worn items. Who did you buy them off? Have you spoken to them to see what they say? You could phone Real Steel or V8 Developments and ask them for their opinion.

Ron.
 
SydneyRoverP6B said:
I have seen this discussed on the V8 forum in the past, some new aftermarket rocker assemblies displaying more freeplay than the original worn items. Who did you buy them off? Have you spoken to them to see what they say? You could phone Real Steel or V8 Developments and ask them for their opinion.

Ron.
Click to expand...

The make of the alloy rockers are AllMakes4x4. Country of origin UK (doesn't mean anything today, could be just the label thats made in UK :( afaik).

The spindle itself seems to be the correct dimension when compared to the original, now if only I had a new genuine rocker to compare the fit.
 
Following on the the V8 owners forum where the OP had issues same as mine.

The OP recorded a clearance of .004-.006" with the new spindle and rockers.

Measuring the OE parts they established that the clearance was .004".

I didn't/couldn't measure the ID of my OE rockers to any degree of reasonable accuracy, however I found that the OE rockers although supposedly worn were an ever so slightly tighter fit on the spindle than new rockers when a .004" feeler gauge was inserted between the rocker and the spindle.
 
The rockers only ever bear on the bottom of the rocker shaft as there is no valve gap to set due to the hydraulic lifters. There is usually a small pad visible at the bottom of the rocker bore. This is the only real contact point on the shaft. Even when new, the rockers will rock on the shaft. On an engine with a traditional set up, there would be valve clearances to set. These would have rockers with a bush in and need to be a good fit on the shaft. The V8 doesn't need this good fit it seems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top