Comp Cams Rocker Adjustments

[m79ded]

Hi

I got new Comp cams 1621-16 steel rockers and was going to install then on my TF240 heads, I already have the rocker studs from TF. I installed them and they are very tight side to side and not exactly centered on the valve tip. I was thinking of either getting a smaller center spacer original is 0.475 or sanding/filing the hold downs and possibly adding a really small shim to contact the rocker similar to aluminum rocker setup in order to line up the valve stem and give it the proper .025 clearance. I was told don't grind the rocker hold downs just get like a .425 and shim difference or even file the spacer not the hold downs and definitely not the rocker What you think? this is the 1st time I'm dealing with these rockers and want to get it right. What have y'all been successful with. Thanks

 

[33 IMP]

That's just part of setting up aftermarket valvetrain properly. Tedious, but needs to be done. I machined spacers select fit for my crane rockers for each intake/exhaust pair, and narrowed the holddowns for the rocker shafts on each side for the adjustable iron rockers (pretty sure they were original maxwedge that used aluminum stands).
It is definitely worth the time and effort to do it right the first time.

 

[PRHeads]

I test fit some of those rockers on some TF240’s not that long ago.

The two end stands had some interference with the rockers.
I ended up relieving the stands in the offending area.

If your working on an assembled engine, and don’t want to “make chips” on the heads...... you’d have to explore some other options.

 

[m79ded]

I test fit some of those rockers on some TF240’s not that long ago.

The two end stands had some interference with the rockers.
I ended up relieving the stands in the offending area.

If your working on an assembled engine, and don’t want to “make chips” on the heads...... you’d have to explore some other options.

Thanks Mr Dwayne, unfortunately it's in the car, after I took out the Comp "bigger" hold down that are inwards and put the ones from my Crane kit it was better but I still need to give it .025 clearance between rockers. I wanted steel rockers because I was planning to do more driving than racing but now I'm regretting not getting the HS they supposedly fit better

 

[Mike67]

I have the same setup, I used a bench top belt sander to take off the excess material and got it close the used some finer grits to clean up the marks. I also stamped them as to keep them in order.
Comp states "approximately .030" for side clearance which seems like a lot , I set mine at .025 as well but still have a tick that I think maybe a result of still too much clearance.

 

[RemCharger]

I test fit some of those rockers on some TF240’s not that long ago.

The two end stands had some interference with the rockers.
I ended up relieving the stands in the offending area.

If your working on an assembled engine, and don’t want to “make chips” on the heads...... you’d have to explore some other options.

I have done the same thing as well, and would call this the primary option. The rocker stand is preventing the rocker from riding against the shaft hold down as it was designed to do.
Rockers grinding against the aluminum rocker stand sounds like a bad idea.

 

[m79ded]

I have the same setup, I used a bench top belt sander to take off the excess material and got it close the used some finer grits to clean up the marks. I also stamped them as to keep them in order.
Comp states "approximately .030" for side clearance which seems like a lot , I set mine at .025 as well but still have a tick that I think maybe a result of still too much clearance.

Hi thanks for the info, You took excess material off the Pedestal or the hold downs?

 

[PRHeads]

I think you’ll find you can remove the Comp end hold downs from the shaft, and you still won’t have adequate side clearance.
The stand is closer to the rocker than the Comp hold down is.

Imo, .030” clearance per pair is way more than necessary for steel rockers and steel hold downs.
1/2 of that is plenty.

 

[Mike67]

Hi thanks for the info, You took excess material off the Pedestal or the hold downs?

The billet steel spacers, I have RPM heads and they actually had nice alignment on the valve stem to my untrained eyes.
I would listen to Mr Porter on his recommendations.

 

[Mike67]

I think you’ll find you can remove the Comp end hold downs from the shaft, and you still won’t have adequate side clearance.
The stand is closer to the rocker than the Comp hold down is.

Imo, .030” clearance per pair is way more than necessary for steel rockers and steel hold downs.
1/2 of that is plenty.

Thanks for the info on the side clearance. I have some shims as well as a new set of spacers and will try the .015!

 

[Geoff 2]

The best advice so far in this thread has been in post #2: tedious.
It is tedious with the Mopar shaft rocker system AND aftermarket rockers.
Nothing like 0.025" end clearance is needed with steel rockers. 0.010" is enough.
You want the roller tip centered on the valve tip; use shims, spacers, whatever to get there.

 

[PRHeads]

Just to be clear, my recommendation of relieving the end stands only pertains to the TF heads and the Comp rockers, like what the OP has.

Other rockers/other heads may require a different approach.

I suspect since TF recommends a specific part number from HS, that those will bolt onto their heads with no mods.

 

[RemCharger]

The best advice so far in this thread has been in post #2: tedious.
It is tedious with the Mopar shaft rocker system AND aftermarket rockers.
Nothing like 0.025" end clearance is needed with steel rockers. 0.010" is enough.
You want the roller tip centered on the valve tip; use shims, spacers, whatever to get there.

post # 3, 6,8,12 are the correct answers for the original question.

 

[m79ded]

Just to be clear, my recommendation of relieving the end stands only pertains to the TF heads and the Comp rockers, like what the OP has.

Other rockers/other heads may require a different approach.

I suspect since TF recommends a specific part number from HS, that those will bolt onto their heads with no mods.

Thanks Dwayne, I really appreciate your assistance as always, You're a great person.

 

[Geoff 2]

Rem,
No post #11 is correct.

 

[RemCharger]

Rem,
No post #11 is correct.

The best advice so far in this thread has been in post #2: tedious.
It is tedious with the Mopar shaft rocker system AND aftermarket rockers.
Nothing like 0.025" end clearance is needed with steel rockers. 0.010" is enough.
You want the roller tip centered on the valve tip; use shims, spacers, whatever to get there.

Post 11 is good generic advice.
However irrelevant to this particular situation.
I take it you've never put these rockers, on these heads.
And that's fine.

 

[Geoff 2]

Oh yes I have used these rockers. And my comments are very relevant to the situation, the situation being that the OP has alignment/spacing issues.

 

[RemCharger]

Every comment matters. That's what the OP came here for.

 

[Geoff 2]

So why was my comment 'irrelevant' in post # 16, but is now relevant in post #18?

 

[Wietse]

If your rockers need to move more towards each other to center them on the valve tip, have your current center spacers cut .050" on a lathe and see where you end up.
If the rockers are centered you are done, if you had to cut more then cut more.
Having several shims to space it out doesn't hurt anything, it is more important to have those rockers straight in front of their work.
There are various places that sell shim kits that include 3-4 thicknesses to space them out.
Here for example: https://www.hughesengines.com/Index...cmllcw==&level2=QWNjZXNzb3JpZXM=&partid=22138

If your rockers need to move more away from each other to get them centered and the rocker shaft hold downs are in the way, milling off .050" wouldn't hurt a thing.