Stamped rockers not centering on valve tips- how far off is too far?

[Cam Cathey]

Okay - It drives me nuts when threads end without some closure... here are the comparison photos of the problem rockers with some proven factory parts... The major differences seem to be the width of the base of the rocker arm, the size of the shaft hole, and the overall quality of the part... I know... duh!

The factory parts are on the top if you are having trouble figuring it out.

Oh - and the factory parts installed fit perfectly and ride the valves correctly - even with some slop -er... I mean clearance... but still MUCH LESS THAN the aftermarket junk that was in it when I bought it.

I know, you get what you pay for - at least I didn't get burned with that cheap junk... well not exactly anyway.... I will remember that when it's time to switch to the rollers...

Its time to break in that cam... wish me luck!
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

 

[Cranky]

I've seen em look like that before lol

 

[khryslerkid]

Thanks for the follow up. Chinese junk that probably wasn't even heat treated. There's no such thing as tolerances in China either.

Good luck on your break-in!

 

[Bee1971]

Delete

 

[Bee1971]

Summit Racing
Sealed Power R 828
Sealed Power R 829
Sealed Power RS 612 Shafts

Just installed these on my 432 Stroker
Used the factory retainers , new bolts and studs supplied with the Edelbrock Heads

Went together very nice , pre oiled and ready to go soon

Compared to my factory units , they look identical or maybe slightly heavier duty
I should have weighed them or measured thickness apples to apples

Don't forget those offset oiling holes on shafts go down , and 15 degree angle towards the valve springs / valves themselves

On every individual box

Made In The USA

 

[oldbee]

Should probably be in ‘back in the day’ but jeez I never worried about any of this stuff ‘way back’ everything worked/fit like it should.

 

[Cranky]

Thanks for the follow up. Chinese junk that probably wasn't even heat treated. There's no such thing as tolerances in China either.

Good luck on your break-in!

I've seen original engines have rockers that looked like these....engines that had never been opened up before. I've torn down a lot of engines in the mid 70's that had less than 100k miles and they were just totally messed up inside. Keep in mind that there were plenty of different brands of oils on the market that wasn't even very good let alone medium decent quality.

Should probably be in ‘back in the day’ but jeez I never worried about any of this stuff ‘way back’ everything worked/fit like it should.

I knew of a local engine rebuilder that was pretty good at what he did but he would reuse the rockers, push rods, shafts...the whole upper valve train. To me, doing that just didn't make sense as all of those parts also wear. He would look em over and make a judgement call and if they looked ok, in they went. Throw in crap oil and/or slacking off and not changing it on a regular basis and you can expect stuff like that to happen.

 

[khryslerkid]

I've seen original engines have rockers that looked like these...

I was wondering about the "F12" stamping on the OP's rockers. Aftermarket?

 

[Cranky]

I was wondering about the "F12" stamping on the OP's rockers. Aftermarket?

Couldn't tell ya. Seems like different years have different markings.....and it's been years since messing with stock rockers.

 

[miller]

I was wondering about the "F12" stamping on the OP's rockers. Aftermarket?

I went through a couple different sets of known stock used rockers. Every one had a stamping on them, like that. Might not have been F12, but about the same. Couldn't find any info, what it means...

 

[69 mayflower]

Has anybody here tried those Elgin rockers that Khryslerkid mentioned earlier?

 

[SublimeSixpack]

On every individual box

Made In The USA

I just noticed this post, FWIW I recently purchased a set of Sealed Power rocker arms (R-861 & R-862) for a 360. I measured their thickness to find that they were beefier than the stock rockers that came on my 1972 J-heads.

Edit: Not all of the post I just quoted shows here. I responded in reference to Bee1971's questioning whether or not his new Sealed Power Rockers were thicker than the stockers. Hope this makes sense. Sometimes this site throws me a curve.