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Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... #1688490
10/21/14 01:24 AM 10/21/14 01:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,290
Tucson AZ,
M
MadMopars Offline OP
pro stock
MadMopars  Offline OP
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Tucson AZ,
I see that some rocker arms are side spaced with shims and some are spaced with springs. Just curious if you guys had a preferred method and if so which is it and why? My last set of rockers was shimmed with springs but I was thinking I may order some spacers this time around. Thoughts?

Last edited by MadMopars; 10/21/14 01:41 AM.
[img]https://s9.postimg.cc/6fbjxzfvv/48-2016-_Drag-_Weekend-_Best-_Burnouts-lpr.jpg[/img]


73 GTX *440*727*8 3/4*
69 DART GT *440*4 SPEED*DANA*
73 ROAD RUNNER *451*4 SPEED*DANA*
64 F100 *383*4 SPEED*9"*
75 DODGE D300 *440*4 SPEED*DANA*
99 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 DUALLY... ON 38"s
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: MadMopars] #1688491
10/21/14 01:30 AM 10/21/14 01:30 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,257
gulfport, ms, west mi
rowin4 Offline
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gulfport, ms, west mi
I haven't used springs since 1968 , use spacers. Been thinking of getting clamps.


it's ok to butt heads, just don't do it with a butthead
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: MadMopars] #1688492
10/21/14 01:31 AM 10/21/14 01:31 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,161
CT
GTX MATT Offline
master
GTX MATT  Offline
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CT
Spacers are preferred and I did it. They're a pita though in my opinion, the side clearance changes every time you R&R.

Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat
Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: GTX MATT] #1688493
10/21/14 03:23 AM 10/21/14 03:23 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,127
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
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Posts: 43,127
Bend,OR USA
Quote:

Spacers are preferred and I did it. They're a pita though in my opinion, the side clearance changes every time you R&R.

Only if you don't push the shafts the same way everytime to make the bolt holes end up the same every time

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: Cab_Burge] #1688494
10/21/14 10:16 AM 10/21/14 10:16 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,161
CT
GTX MATT Offline
master
GTX MATT  Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

Spacers are preferred and I did it. They're a pita though in my opinion, the side clearance changes every time you R&R.

Only if you don't push the shafts the same way everytime to make the bolt holes end up the same every time



I bought the hughes engines stud kit and there is a lot of slop in the hold downs/studs.

Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat
Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: MadMopars] #1688495
10/21/14 11:45 AM 10/21/14 11:45 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,867
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
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Springs are good enough for hemis, they're good enough for me! Setting up with shims is just a nuisance.
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: GTX MATT] #1688496
10/21/14 12:04 PM 10/21/14 12:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,978
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR Offline
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I had an original set of isky's and they had some HEAVY springs , they work to keep the rocker from moving off to the side , it can happen , but add a lot of friction. The later isky's and cranes ... and the hemis ... have much lighter springs, but I can see the rocker deflecting sideways a little if the pushrod is not pushing straight up, this is why the $$$ rockers use spacers instead of springs , especially if you have offset rockers.

I'd like to try a shaft mounted locking collar with ductile rockers, they make them for the Hemi

Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: JohnRR] #1688497
10/21/14 12:22 PM 10/21/14 12:22 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,010
Sac, CA
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mopowers Offline
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Sac, CA
What do you guys use for side clearance with spacers?
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: mopowers] #1688498
10/21/14 12:41 PM 10/21/14 12:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,867
Ontario, Canada
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Stanton Offline
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Harland Sharp recommend .008-.012 between each set.
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: mopowers] #1688499
10/21/14 12:47 PM 10/21/14 12:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
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Thumperdart Offline
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State of confusion
Quote:

What do you guys use for side clearance with spacers?



Never used springs and I shim mine up to have bet. .010-.012 between the pair and I mark the hold downs and the heads to make it easier to reassemble and keep my side clearances.

72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: Thumperdart] #1688500
10/21/14 01:47 PM 10/21/14 01:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,161
CT
GTX MATT Offline
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GTX MATT  Offline
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I heard .015-.030 from several people

Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat
Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: GTX MATT] #1688501
10/21/14 02:18 PM 10/21/14 02:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
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Thumperdart Offline
I Live Here
Thumperdart  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2004
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State of confusion
Quote:

I heard .015-.030 from several people




My way 13+ years so far..............

72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: Thumperdart] #1688502
10/21/14 02:37 PM 10/21/14 02:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,127
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Bend,OR USA
I prefer spacers and shims, minumum of .015 clearances between each pair cold Main thing is to get the roller tip to have full contact on all of the tip of all the valves I had one motor on the dyno that had the weak springs, it would allow the rocker arm to push over towards the middle and the rocker arm tip was pushing down on the retainer instead of the staying on valve tip I repalced those springs with stronger ones to fix that set, it got spacers and shim when I took the motor back to the shop

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: Cab_Burge] #1688503
10/21/14 08:02 PM 10/21/14 08:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,290
Tucson AZ,
M
MadMopars Offline OP
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MadMopars  Offline OP
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Tucson AZ,
After thinking on it for a bit, I finally committed and ordered up some spacers. The thought of trying something new and the frictional loss won me over. Thanks for the input guys!

[img]https://s9.postimg.cc/6fbjxzfvv/48-2016-_Drag-_Weekend-_Best-_Burnouts-lpr.jpg[/img]


73 GTX *440*727*8 3/4*
69 DART GT *440*4 SPEED*DANA*
73 ROAD RUNNER *451*4 SPEED*DANA*
64 F100 *383*4 SPEED*9"*
75 DODGE D300 *440*4 SPEED*DANA*
99 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 DUALLY... ON 38"s
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: GTX MATT] #1688504
10/22/14 02:33 PM 10/22/14 02:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,537
PORT ALBERNI , BC., CANADA
superwrench Offline
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PORT ALBERNI , BC., CANADA
Quote:

I heard .015-.030 from several people



.016 to .018 here.....
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: superwrench] #1688505
10/23/14 11:43 AM 10/23/14 11:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,065
Niles , Ohio
T
therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
T

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Posts: 21,065
Niles , Ohio
Ive run the springs and small clips that came with my Ersons from 71.Ive never had any problem.Thought about changing but why fix something thats not broke.Rocky

Chrysler Firepower
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... *DELETED* [Re: MadMopars] #1688506
10/23/14 06:53 PM 10/23/14 06:53 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,206
New York
polyspheric Offline
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Post deleted by polyspheric

Boffin Emeritus
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: polyspheric] #1688507
10/23/14 08:30 PM 10/23/14 08:30 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,867
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
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Posts: 8,867
Ontario, Canada


And if installed properly, there is minimum friction using a spring - you need to shim between the spring and rocker and should always shim between the rocker and hold-down.

Some have mentioned the rocker moving sideways enough that the rocker tip moves off the valvestem. I'm not saying it can't happen BUT what heads have that wide of a pushrod hole that will allow the pushrod that much movement? Stockers don't and neither do my Indy EZ's. Just sayin'!
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: JohnRR] #1688508
10/23/14 11:01 PM 10/23/14 11:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
hemi-itis Offline
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Great Neck,LI,new york
Quote:

I had an original set of isky's and they had some HEAVY springs , they work to keep the rocker from moving off to the side , it can happen , but add a lot of friction. The later isky's and cranes ... and the hemis ... have much lighter springs, but I can see the rocker deflecting sideways a little if the pushrod is not pushing straight up, this is why the $$$ rockers use spacers instead of springs , especially if you have offset rockers.

I'd like to try a shaft mounted locking collar with ductile rockers, they make them for the Hemi









8309988-3.28.13033.jpg (264 downloads)
HEMI-ITIS has no cure.
My condition is fully BLOWN!!
Re: Rocker arm shaft spacers or springs... [Re: hemi-itis] #1688509
10/23/14 11:12 PM 10/23/14 11:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,867
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
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S

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,867
Ontario, Canada
Hughes sells those collars.
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