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hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. #2535821
08/13/18 08:09 PM
08/13/18 08:09 PM
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saint paul mn.
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johnzgarage Offline OP
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What would be the minimum clearance between edge of valve spring retainer and the bottom side of rocker arm on a oem 426 hemi rocker ? Mine are touching in the closed position. Thinking of clearancing the rocker arms with a rotary file, but i dont know how much meat i can safely remove without compromising the strength of the arms. The arms are stock narrow pads that have been resurfaced by a well known builder. would .050 be enough ??

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535824
08/13/18 08:19 PM
08/13/18 08:19 PM
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Utah and Alaska
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Have you checked the ratios? I would do that first, compare to your cam specs and then decide if they are worth grinding on. Mine were all over, wound up with StageV rollers and Dvorak stands that widen out the spread...Tim


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Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535829
08/13/18 08:32 PM
08/13/18 08:32 PM
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johnzgarage Offline OP
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The intakes were sent out and corrected, but are now touching the retainers. The exhaust arms are not even close. I might be able to save the intakes and have the exhaust arms sent out and fixed.

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535834
08/13/18 08:42 PM
08/13/18 08:42 PM
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Minnesota
Hemi_Joel Offline
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With stock rockers, I assume that the springs are not outrageously stiff. I've taken .040" But cutting anything at all weakens it, and increases the risk of failure.


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Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535838
08/13/18 08:50 PM
08/13/18 08:50 PM
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saint paul mn.
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johnzgarage Offline OP
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There double springs, rated around 575lbs ......if i remember right.

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535880
08/13/18 10:22 PM
08/13/18 10:22 PM
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North Carolina
sasquatch Offline
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Might want to look into some lash caps for the valves. I use them almost always on stock type hemi setups. just a thought.
Todd

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535896
08/13/18 10:45 PM
08/13/18 10:45 PM
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nielsville, minn.
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I've got a set of wide pad that Tim Banning redid for me. 1.98/2.00 installed height with lash caps. My springs are 750 over the nose. I had to relieve a few for clearance. Clearance is .050/.060 if I remember right,(notes are in the garage). No problems.

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: quickd100] #2535913
08/13/18 11:22 PM
08/13/18 11:22 PM
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johnzgarage Offline OP
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Was just on his website and thats my first choice for rockers.

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535946
08/14/18 12:29 AM
08/14/18 12:29 AM
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back in Georgia
dthemi Offline
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Are you using up retainers? Common to have .100 up retainers to gain install height. If you are, go to a standard, or down retainer. Obviously spring pressure will go up, and you'll need to check for bind, or retainer to guide clearance, but you can also usually cut the spring pocket deeper, and keep the same spring pressure with the retainer change. Lash caps, like mentioned can help your problem, but might make the geo, or starting position worse.

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535983
08/14/18 01:32 AM
08/14/18 01:32 AM
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johnzgarage Offline OP
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Your right, yes i did change retainers. my mistake. I will bust it dowm and recheck the install height. Thanks

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: sasquatch] #2535987
08/14/18 01:47 AM
08/14/18 01:47 AM
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Bend,OR USA
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Originally Posted By sasquatch
Might want to look into some lash caps for the valves. I use them almost always on stock type hemi setups. just a thought.
Todd
iagree up scope


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Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2535996
08/14/18 02:38 AM
08/14/18 02:38 AM
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Great Neck,LI,new york
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My last go round I ended up having to use a -50 thou retainer to gain the needed clearence,,,,,then had to buy new springs to go with the new titanium retainers. fan
Thanks again Marsh Performance for your expert advise and quick delivery up

Had to take off them purty polished springs whiney

6.1.17 037.jpg6.1.17 073.jpg6.1.17 080.jpg8.15.17 104.jpg
Last edited by hemi-itis; 08/14/18 02:40 AM.

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Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: Cab_Burge] #2536058
08/14/18 10:14 AM
08/14/18 10:14 AM
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Marion, South Carolina [><]
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Originally Posted By Cab_Burge
Originally Posted By sasquatch
Might want to look into some lash caps for the valves. I use them almost always on stock type hemi setups. just a thought.
Todd
iagree up scope

iagree I used lash caps on mine when I mocked mine up for the first time and found the DLI roller rockers were hitting the titanium retainers. The caps got me the clearance I needed and have been in use since 2006 w/ no issues at all. I mention that b/c I've heard a lot of people question the durability of lash caps.


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Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2536066
08/14/18 10:33 AM
08/14/18 10:33 AM
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back in Georgia
dthemi Offline
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I think the issue of lash caps durability came from the days when ti valves didn't have steel tips, and you had to use them. They chewed on the valves pretty hard. I've never had issues with caps, on steel, or steel tip valves.

I would say JMO, if the geo is good without them, it's not worth the guide wear to crutch them off the retainer if your heads are already off, and apart. Assuming of course your valve train is in a fixed position.

Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2536096
08/14/18 11:51 AM
08/14/18 11:51 AM
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New York
polyspheric Offline
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If you geo is on target now, lash caps will ALWAYS make it worse.
If it's not on target now, they may make it better or worse.
Whatever you do to the lever's underside, blend the cut back into the body and polish it, leave no sharp edges.


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Re: hemi rocker arm to retainer clearance. [Re: johnzgarage] #2536340
08/14/18 06:58 PM
08/14/18 06:58 PM
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saint paul mn.
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johnzgarage Offline OP
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o.k , problem solved. I had installed the wrong retainers . +.150 was the issue.







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