Rocker Arm Assembly

[trenlong]

So we are sending the engine back to the machinist to make sure the bearing are in properly, but I would like to put in new rocker arm assemblies reguardless because we know they are a problem. They are for a 266, do you have or can get any?
Michael Chad said you were working on something for remans or something so I am definetally interested!@!!
yea more parts!@!@!
Thanks,
Tren

[ihojeff]

Tren,

Sorry to hear about the bad luck you're having with your engine build. I need to know if you have welded or stamped steel rocker arms and I also need to know whether you have 5 or 9 rocker shaft towers. From there I can check availability and price on what you need.

[Michael Mayben]

I have definitive information tonite for Jeff regarding NEW rocker assemblies (shaft, spacers, rockers, and stands) availability. And we can supply BOTH type rockers. I was working that deal when Chad called me the last time, I was at the supplier then discussing this!

Jeff... Tren and bro Chad need welded rockers and nine stand shafts. We've been on the phone several times today doing the diagnostics on this, someone in the past has botched the rocker stands by grinding off the bases UNEVENLY! And the #3 and #7 stands will NOT seal to the heads at the oil spit holes, and the shafts were plugged. They cleaned ONE shaft and re-plugged (with new plugs) according to my instructions but it still won't oil.

And...it's possible...the machine shop did NOT properly align the cam bearings. They will know Saturday after the motor is returned to the shop for verification.

Tomorrow...I'm sending them 18 USED but serviceable rocker stands from my collection. That way they can verify proper assembly with GOOD stands, and then verify proper oiling using the technique I furnished them. If that solves the lube issue, then I'm sure Tren will want NEW rocker assemblies for the long term.

And they are very appreciative of the fact that IHON folks WILL help them solve this problem so that new carb and distributor can be USED!

This NOT the first time I've delt with this botchinated rocker stand/rocker arm deal...seems to be pretty common when these motors are serviced by Chryfordrolet mechanical posers!

The UP side of this??? This morning, Chad and Tren got the carb and ignition issues finally figgrd out and the thing pops off real nice...it just doesn't oil the top end!

[trenlong]

Hi guys,
Yea I will want new rocker arms I am thinking, shoot all this fun on top of fact that my wife is going to be giving birth on tuesday! Jeff I am not sure what I need to be honest I just want to fix/replace whatever needs to be. How can I check, or Michael do you know off the top of you head from talking with chad what we will need?
Thanks,
Tren

[Michael Mayben]

Tren... your broChad and I have got yore back! We're on toppa this deal, just go have a new litter and relax!

Congrats to all involved in making this happen!

Yore 266 application uses "welded" rocker arms, onna nine rocker stand assembly. Those take pushrods with a socket on the rocker end, and a "ball tip" on the lifter end. 152, 266, and 304 pushrods for welded rockers are all the same part number.

Much later SV engines were changed to a five stand rocker assembly (cost reduction), and "stamped" or "boat-type" rockers which were also a cost-reduction thing. The pushrods for the stamped rockers do not interchange with the welded rockers...the stamped pushrods have a "ball" on each end. And the rockers shafts are different also, the five stand and nine stand rocker shafts CANNOT be interchanged at the component level, though an engine which originally had a nine stand assembly CAN have a five stand assembly installed if the proper pushrods are also used, and the four unused holes in the cylinder head "plugged" with proper bolts/washers.

Lifters for ALL the I-4 and SV engines are EXACTLY the same though their internal components do not interchange (no one in their right mind wastes time in trying to "fix" hydraulic lifters even though the IH service manual devotes 10 pages or so to doing just that!!).

So yawl are gonna re-assemble the CLEAN rocker shafts you currently have, and use the stands I'm sending you today. This will get it running again and with KNOWN GOOD rocker assemblies, yawl are gonna take the long block back to the machinist so it can have the cam bearing installation and oiling system verified as OK or "no good".

The stuff I'm sending is simply so ya don't have to spend any more cash right now to get this bitch oilin'! If the cam bearings weren't installed correctly, then the machine shop needs to EAT that deal and make it right! And this will eliminate any question, your current rocker stands are destroyed from what Chad has described to me. Therefore, the assemblies CANNOT oil.

Once all this is worked out and ya gotta motor that is OK, then I'd certainly advise that you NOT continue to use the current rocker assemblies which I KNOW have significant wear on the pivot points on the two shafts. This is just a "test" deal and not a final solution!

Please...DON'T name the new litter "Scout"!!!

[Monte Lauer]

Originally Posted by Michael Mayben

Please...DON'T name the new litter "Scout"!!!

Mike, have you been talking to my wife? I told her our new little one is gonna be named SCOUT.

[Michael Mayben]

Be prepared to pay a license fee on that name to International Harvester Intellectual Properties, Inc.! Tha birth certificate will be reported to the feds...they'll rat ya out to IH!

[trenlong]

Ok well I am back in the business...
I have a new baby girl, Olivia Long and she is happy and healthy so now I can get back to scouting!
So the pedastols are in and it is oiling beautifully and I am excited- cleaned out both side rocker arm tubes but only needed to use the bedastools you sent on one of the sides. It is making an oily mess and the noise has gone away. And that puppy is running incredibly well. it fires right up that carb is amazing.
I am not sure how to proceed now, it seems like we really dont need to replace the entire rocker arm assebly right? I drove it up to work (30 miles) and had a blast. So were should we proceed?
Thanks,
Tren

[ronmc1954]

Olivia Scout Long
Congrats many times.
Ron

[Michael Mayben]

CONGRATULATIONS DUDE and Momma! What a GREAT announcement!

My FIRST grandaughter is named Olivia too! She just started kindergarten Monday!

And "almost" as good...yore motor is actually runnin'!!!! Can ya believe it?? Did anybody LEARN anythin' here???

If yawl are satisfied with the rocker assemblies now, then I'd leave 'em alone! If ya maintain this engine it will still be running LONG after we can no longer find gasoline on the black market!

Jeff is out of pocket until Monday doing the annual Rubicon run. Call him after that and let him price those used pedestals to ya. Either keep/pay for both sets of nine if ya think you will ever use 'em, or return one set to either me or Jeff/IHON. Jeff and I will settle later...we always "owe" each other!!

GREAT endings and followups make all this stuff worthwhile!

And IHON will have NEW rockers assemblies AND individual components (both types) in stock soon!

Next step??? How about a celebratory float down Hell's Canyon or the Salmon??

Put some miles on it and see what breaks next!!

[ihojeff]

Congrats Tren!