Roller Rockers

[Roger Dieter]

I'm very much a rookie when it comes to engine building. I put alum. heads on my engine and they use rollers. I did the usual research on how to adjust them, and everything was fine for a while. Resently they started tapping, and I pulled it apart and found two rockers worked loose. I went through the whole thing and adjusted them again. All of a sudden it went from a tap to a knock. Again I pulled it apart and checked. Everything seemed fine. I thought I might've had a colapsed lifter, since I did this on the "cheap". So I tore the whole thing apart and replaced the lifters. All back together and the knocking is worse than ever. Again I pull the valve covers and pull one of the rockers and find that they were sitting on the pushrod guides and not suspended on the valve and pushrod. After all that, my question is, are my pushrods too short? And if so how much longer are the correct ones. The ones that are in now are stock.172.jpg

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[Gordon Levy]

Yes, there are to short. You also need hardened push rods. Stock 5.0 push rods will eat themselves up over time.
What heads do you have?

[Don Payne]

You should measure your pushrods for proper length using an adjustable pushrod. Once you find the appropriate length, then order them. Assuming you can use stock pushrods with roller rockers and aftermarket heads is a recipe for a rebuild in the near future.

[Gordon Levy]

The guide plate goes under the stud not over the top.

[Bob Cowan]

I see what they see, and I don't like what I see at all.

- The guide plates are held in place by the rocker arm studs. Remove the studs, put the guide plates down, and thread the studs through them into the heads.

- Make sure the center of the slot is lined up with the lifter

- Use thread sealant on the rocker arm studs. Some of the holes may extend into the intake port.

- Looking at the stud on the left, you can see the set screw protrudes out of the nut a little bit. That would leave you to believe the studs are a tad long. But that will change when you put the guide plates in the right place. Especially if you need a longer rocker arm.

- You need to check your valve train geometry. You need to use checking springs and adjustable push rods to find the right push rod length. Lots of instructions for this procedure on the boards or via google search.

[BigLeo69]

Originally Posted by Gordon Levy

The guide plate goes under the stud not over the top.

that could be the tappin noise, good eye Gordon

the roller rockers if they come loose can make the push rod flop about and actually knock a retainer spring loose on a lifter. ask me how i know

[Don Payne]

Originally Posted by BigLeo69

that could be the tappin noise, good eye Gordon

the roller rockers if they come loose can make the push rod flop about and actually knock a retainer spring loose on a lifter. ask me how i know

Yeah, I totally missed that...and totally agree.

[Roger Dieter]

I borrowed a measuring rod from the local parts store. Switched all the plates around and ordered a new set of pushrods. They will be in tomorrow. I would really love to put this problem to rest. This is why I enjoy this forum. You guys are the best. It's almost like having an instructor in your pocket, to get it out whenever you get stumped.
Thanks alot
Roger

[Roger Dieter]

Well now I'm really Pi$$ed. I got my parts and put everything back together. Even had to shift a few of the guide plates to make sure they didn't rub against the pushrods. Really took my time to make sure everything was right.Turned the key, it fired up and was KNOCKING like a Bi#ch!!!! My next step I think is to pull these P.O.S. heads off and go back to stock. Over a "G" wasted.

[Gordon Levy]

Roger, when you've calmed down a bit. Give me a call at 520-494-2745.