Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? #2101550
07/01/16 12:36 AM
07/01/16 12:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
G
gss Offline OP
super stock
gss  Offline OP
super stock
G

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
I can grind my shaft hold-downs to provide the proper clearance to the rocker arms. Should I go further and make room for some .015 or .030 shims? This is a big block with Edelbrock heads and Comp steel rockers.

I am using the billet hold-downs from Hughes but I think they are made by Edelbrock also. Got the stud kit as well.

Any tips or tricks to dressing the hold-downs? I am going to finish the sides with 400/600/1000 grit after grinding them to the proper dimension. Maybe bevel the corners slightly so they don't dig into the rocker arms?

I took the pushrods out so the shafts would sit on the heads without tightening down the hold-downs to make fitment easier. It looks like it will be interesting getting the nuts started on the studs with the pushrods in place. Is that ever a problem? Thanks!

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2101570
07/01/16 01:06 AM
07/01/16 01:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
Master

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
I milled my hold downs for a .015 steel shim..
it adds more area for less wear... and leave .015
for clearance.... mines a SB but its still the same..
all I use now is TD rockers both the single shaft on
some heads and paired for others.. you can call Mancini
for the shims
wave

Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 07/01/16 01:25 AM.
Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2101574
07/01/16 01:10 AM
07/01/16 01:10 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 44,129
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 44,129
Bend,OR USA
I use Pioneer and PSI brand motorcylcle valve spring shims for Mopar rocker arm spacers up They come in .015, .030 and .060 thicknesses scope


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: Cab_Burge] #2101598
07/01/16 01:41 AM
07/01/16 01:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
G
gss Offline OP
super stock
gss  Offline OP
super stock
G

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
Originally Posted By Cab_Burge
I use Pioneer and PSI brand motorcylcle valve spring shims for Mopar rocker arm spacers up They come in .015, .030 and .060 thicknesses scope


Good tip! I have some from my 428CJ project but will need a few more.

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2101605
07/01/16 01:55 AM
07/01/16 01:55 AM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,096
Australia
O
ozymaxwedge Offline
super stock
ozymaxwedge  Offline
super stock
O

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,096
Australia
We machined some Ali bar sleeves for the spacers and used mopar hold downs, done this 15 years ago and still using them



1963 Plymouth Max Wedge
1971 Barracuda
Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: ozymaxwedge] #2101610
07/01/16 02:04 AM
07/01/16 02:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
G
gss Offline OP
super stock
gss  Offline OP
super stock
G

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
Originally Posted By ozymaxwedge
We machined some Ali bar sleeves for the spacers and used mopar hold downs, done this 15 years ago and still using them



That looks really sweet, do you use a steel shim between the rockers and the hold downs?

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2101618
07/01/16 02:16 AM
07/01/16 02:16 AM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,096
Australia
O
ozymaxwedge Offline
super stock
ozymaxwedge  Offline
super stock
O

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,096
Australia
Yes and between the spacers and rockers so there is no ali-ali contact, about .060 total clearance between hold downs all set up so the rockers sit perfect on the valve.


1963 Plymouth Max Wedge
1971 Barracuda
Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2101793
07/01/16 11:02 AM
07/01/16 11:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807
Mopar Country, Mi
ccdave Offline
The Ultimate
ccdave  Offline
The Ultimate

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807
Mopar Country, Mi
I'm using the Hughes hold downs and shims with Dechellis rocker shafts. I did not like the quality of the shafts supplied with the Comp rocker arm kit. The Dechellis Shafts are thicker and all of the holes drilled are chamfered.

Rocker arms.jpgRocker Shaft.png
Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: ccdave] #2101798
07/01/16 11:10 AM
07/01/16 11:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
G
gss Offline OP
super stock
gss  Offline OP
super stock
G

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
Originally Posted By ccdave
I'm using the Hughes hold downs and shims with Dechellis rocker shafts. I did not like the quality of the shafts supplied with the Comp rocker arm kit. The Dechellis Shafts are thicker and all of the holes drilled are chamfered.


Those shafts look pretty nice. I am not seeing shims between the rockers and hold downs. Is that correct?

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2101817
07/01/16 11:32 AM
07/01/16 11:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807
Mopar Country, Mi
ccdave Offline
The Ultimate
ccdave  Offline
The Ultimate

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807
Mopar Country, Mi
The shim/spacer is next to the feeler gauge.

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2101838
07/01/16 12:00 PM
07/01/16 12:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,328
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
I Win
AndyF  Offline
I Win
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,328
Oregon
Originally Posted By gss
I can grind my shaft hold-downs to provide the proper clearance to the rocker arms. Should I go further and make room for some .015 or .030 shims? This is a big block with Edelbrock heads and Comp steel rockers.

I am using the billet hold-downs from Hughes but I think they are made by Edelbrock also. Got the stud kit as well.

Any tips or tricks to dressing the hold-downs? I am going to finish the sides with 400/600/1000 grit after grinding them to the proper dimension. Maybe bevel the corners slightly so they don't dig into the rocker arms?

I took the pushrods out so the shafts would sit on the heads without tightening down the hold-downs to make fitment easier. It looks like it will be interesting getting the nuts started on the studs with the pushrods in place. Is that ever a problem? Thanks!


Rotate the engine over until you find a spot where only a couple of valves are partially open. That will make it easier to install the rocker shaft.

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2102309
07/02/16 12:28 AM
07/02/16 12:28 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,671
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Offline
Still wishing...
Twostick  Offline
Still wishing...

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,671
Downtown Roebuck Ont
NTC Cummins valve spring shims are the right size and come in all thicknesses.

Best part is they're cheap.

Kevin

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2102563
07/02/16 03:46 PM
07/02/16 03:46 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,328
West Coast, USA
jbc426 Offline
master
jbc426  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,328
West Coast, USA
Originally Posted By gss
I can grind my shaft hold-downs to provide the proper clearance to the rocker arms. Should I go further and make room for some .015 or .030 shims? This is a big block with Edelbrock heads and Comp steel rockers.

I am using the billet hold-downs from Hughes but I think they are made by Edelbrock also. Got the stud kit as well.

Any tips or tricks to dressing the hold-downs? I am going to finish the sides with 400/600/1000 grit after grinding them to the proper dimension. Maybe bevel the corners slightly so they don't dig into the rocker arms?

I took the pushrods out so the shafts would sit on the heads without tightening down the hold-downs to make fitment easier. It looks like it will be interesting getting the nuts started on the studs with the pushrods in place. Is that ever a problem? Thanks!


I like the one piece fitted spacers T&D uses. I've had the thin shims come apart and end up in the oil pools in the heads. They must have worn through, broken up and ended up in small bits in the motor. This was with clearance measured and adjusted using the thin shims. No bueno.


1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(Stock drivetrain in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's & EFI.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible Paxton Boosted 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 3.91's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: jbc426] #2102687
07/02/16 08:28 PM
07/02/16 08:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
G
gss Offline OP
super stock
gss  Offline OP
super stock
G

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
Clearly, there are many people that forego the rocker shims. Do they polish the contact surfaces of the rocker arms and hold downs or just leave the rough surfaces?

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2102834
07/03/16 02:18 AM
07/03/16 02:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807
Mopar Country, Mi
ccdave Offline
The Ultimate
ccdave  Offline
The Ultimate

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807
Mopar Country, Mi
The key is to make sure the roller is evenly over the valve tip. That should be your #1 concern. Next, make sure you have at least .015 - .020 between rockers. If there is more, shim it.. My Hughes hold downs were all over and most of them required some grinding. Keep in mind the play from the hole size for the bolts or studs as well before you start grinding. I like to bolt the hold downs pushed forward against the studs or bolt as to not change my measurements.
Once you have them where you want them. I like to put a stamp on each hold down in the event they have to come off..... Built 5 big blocks this way and 1 small block. Never a problem.

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: ccdave] #2106008
07/07/16 11:39 PM
07/07/16 11:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
G
gss Offline OP
super stock
gss  Offline OP
super stock
G

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,123
State, country, etc.
The instructions that came with my Mancini hold downs says side clearance should be 0.005-0.010 per rocker pair. I have them all at 0.012 now but even that seems a little tight. What do you think?

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2106012
07/07/16 11:46 PM
07/07/16 11:46 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
Master

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
I have... .030 tappered shims from Mancinis
EDIT
on this I was referring to the under shaft spacer
my error
wave

Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 07/08/16 08:41 AM.
Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2106021
07/08/16 12:00 AM
07/08/16 12:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,313
Tucson AZ,
M
MadMopars Offline
pro stock
MadMopars  Offline
pro stock
M

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,313
Tucson AZ,
FWIW, I like the shim type spacers better than the spring type. Less force pushing on the side of the rockers, more control of the rocker arm placement and in my opinion more oil control in the rockers where they ride on the shaft. As I recall, Hughes sales an assortment of different thickness shims for a smoking deal and I believe 440 source has a good deal on the wider spacers if you need them. If your cheap and like to waste your time like me, you can also make a set of spacers from some D.O.M. tubing, at least that's my plan. up


[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 spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: MadMopars] #2106113
07/08/16 08:12 AM
07/08/16 08:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
A
ahy Offline
master
ahy  Offline
master
A

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
On my BB, the hold downs needed milled then shims to get the rocker tips and valves lined up just right. It is very likely your will need the same. Suggest you take a little extra off the hold downs to give clearance for alignment then use the shims. I got the shims from Mancini.

Re: Rocker arm spacers/shims-who uses them? [Re: gss] #2106198
07/08/16 11:43 AM
07/08/16 11:43 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,318
State of confusion
T
Thumperdart Offline
I Live Here
Thumperdart  Offline
I Live Here
T

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,318
State of confusion
Originally Posted By gss
The instructions that came with my Mancini hold downs says side clearance should be 0.005-0.010 per rocker pair. I have them all at 0.012 now but even that seems a little tight. What do you think?



Been setting em up at .012-.015 forever w/zero issues as far as I can tell............


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.....
Page 1 of 2 1 2






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1