Rockers & shaft go/no go?

[Projex]

So I tore apart my 196 rocker assembly; it was quickly apparent that the shaft is too worn to reuse! Then I remember the 152 core I have that was much cleaner looking. Instead of the propane torch and dead blow hammer necessary to remove the shaft stands from the 196, the 152 rockers and stands just slid right off! The photos tell the tale, and I feel I can run the 152 rocker assembly (after pulling the end plugs and scrubbing all items clean). Then I look at this post
And I don't think my better shaft looks as nice as the "useable" shaft in mm's pic. Mind you, I've not cleaned it with a wire wheel or emery cloth yet, just wiped it down. I can just feel a bump at the center of each rocker wear area, but the bump is not a ridge. Thoughts?


Also, the better 152 rocker assembly has much nicer rocker bushings (as expected). I notice that some bushings have deeper oiling groves than others. The attached photos appear to be the most extreme difference. Is this acceptable? I've not ordered the service manual; is there a spec for the shaft minimum diameter, and/or the bushing maximum diameter?



I'm tempted to clean and reuse this assembly, but I'd appreciate some feedback. This will be going into my past/future daily driver, so I'd love it to last for 50k miles or more...

Thanks to all and to IHPA!

 

[Robert Kenney]

I would guess without measuring that the 152 (less worn) will be ok. The welded 9 stand rocker shafts are only available rebuilt over sized... I would have a look at each bushing wear location on the shaft and see that they are all smooth and polished like the one in the photo. If possible measure the wear at those locations. Looks like a couple of .001.

The bushings vary do to the machining process and car also be effected by wear.. They should be fine if the photos are a fair representation of the lot.

Make sure you clean the little oil passages between the layers of the welded rockers.

When you do finally get ready to fire the engine, with the valve cover removed, preoil it and turn the crank a few degrees at a time till you have liberal oil flow to the rocker assembly. Keep turning the oil pump for several minutes at each crank location. It takes a while to get full oiling to the top end.

Oil each valve to guide interface with a pump oil can before running to make sure things won't stick.

 

[Projex]

Thanks! That is what I was hoping to hear. Shoudl I clean the shaft with emery cloth, or just steel wool?

Yes, all the wear surfaces look similar, and the photos are of the best & worst rocker bushings (in the better set from the 152). I'll still hand over the rockers to the machine shop for tip evaluation and possible refurbishing. The shaft will be cleaned by myself and get new end plugs. I should have mentioned, the 196 engine is apart for a rebuild; the good rocker assembly is not going back on an in-place engine.

The 196 engine came to me unfired after a rebuild that occurred 15 years ago. Engine sat in a garage after a cat knocked a bag of birdseed on/in the exposed top end, which stalled the previos owner's project. Crank is good, has new bearings .010 for mains and .030 for rods. Will receive new pistons & rings after the machine shop cleans & measures the block. Will also drop off the head for review.

See my other posts/questions related to the larger engine install here:
http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/gas-engine-tech/9274-worn-rocker-pads.html You already answered my question here, Robert, and now I have better rockers to use.
http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/carb-tech/9271-1904-152-196-a.html Have questions about Holley 1bbl carbs (have two for a 152, need one for my 196)
http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/transmission-tech/9272-clutch.html Want to know if my nib clutch is the right one

thanks again!

 

[Robert Kenney]

I would stay away from any cleaning method that would dull the polished finish. Any chance you kept the rockers in the original order? Best to replace them to their original wear patern if possible.

I forgot to say that iirc the max bushing to shaft clearance was .008. I could be wrong but I don't have my spec book here.
Either way solong as you have good valve/rocker oiling you'll be fine.

 

[Projex]

Yes, I absolutely kept everything in order! I'd like to have all the parts washed in a solvent bath; I've got some metal tags I can stamp with the parts' order before they are jumbled up in a basket.

I think you are correct on the rocker spec; google provided a spec of .0005"-.007"

thanks again for all your help!