7 replies to this topic

[spiguy]

Hi all,

 

finally getting round to renewing my rocker shaft. Just wondered if anyone had any tips. I was hoping to not need to remove the cylinder head, so hoping I won't disturb the gasket. I thought I had read somewhere that you should drain the coolant?

Guessing this is in case you do disturb the gasket to avoid coolant seeping into the cylinders and hydrolocking it?

 

So, yeah, any advice on how to go about it to limit the risk of problems would be greatly appreciated. Should I back off all the rocker adjusters first? Back off the pedstal nuts a bit at a time going in a rotational order etc?

 

Thanks

Craig

[jsiggee]

You should really remove the head and replace the gasket, you're going to be unsettling the rear of the head by removing all the nuts holding it on while the front is still be under tension, which doesn't really make sense to do. You would probably get a head gasket failure after if you don't do it the proper way. Personally I'd do it properly, It's not that much work to take a head off. Also you can clean the head etc which can be beneficial.

[nicklouse]

back the adjusters off so no tension in the rocker train. then remove the whole assy. do what you need to do. re fit (make sure the oil way in on the right post) re torque nuts. set valve clearances. drive.

[Dusky]

I think you can replace the shaft by removing 1 pedestal at a time, then refit it.. though I wouldnt risk it

[1984mini25]

Hi all,

 

finally getting round to renewing my rocker shaft. Just wondered if anyone had any tips. I was hoping to not need to remove the cylinder head, so hoping I won't disturb the gasket. I thought I had read somewhere that you should drain the coolant?

 

 

WHAT?, the last time I changed a rocker shaft. all I did was slacken off the adjusters so there was no tension on the rockers, slacken off one head nut to be able to unscrew the rocker shaft locator, remove on split pin and the washers from one end and carefully slide the shaft out. Refitting is the reverse along with need to reset the valve clearances.

[spiguy]

 

Hi all,

 

finally getting round to renewing my rocker shaft. Just wondered if anyone had any tips. I was hoping to not need to remove the cylinder head, so hoping I won't disturb the gasket. I thought I had read somewhere that you should drain the coolant?

 

 

WHAT?, the last time I changed a rocker shaft. all I did was slacken off the adjusters so there was no tension on the rockers, slacken off one head nut to be able to unscrew the rocker shaft locator, remove on split pin and the washers from one end and carefully slide the shaft out. Refitting is the reverse along with need to reset the valve clearances.

 

I like the sound of that.....

[1984mini25]

 

 

Hi all,

 

finally getting round to renewing my rocker shaft. Just wondered if anyone had any tips. I was hoping to not need to remove the cylinder head, so hoping I won't disturb the gasket. I thought I had read somewhere that you should drain the coolant?

 

 

WHAT?, the last time I changed a rocker shaft. all I did was slacken off the adjusters so there was no tension on the rockers, slacken off one head nut to be able to unscrew the rocker shaft locator, remove on split pin and the washers from one end and carefully slide the shaft out. Refitting is the reverse along with need to reset the valve clearances.

 

I like the sound of that.....

 

 

Or at least that's the exact way I did it to replace the worn shaft on an engine I'd rebuilt, where if it had been run for only a few minuets the rocker cover would start to fill with oil because the shaft/rockers were worn. The only other thing I did do was to move the brake master cylinder (servo type) out of the way for room, as I've got the uprated braided hoses. But certainly didn't have to mess with the coolant, head gasket etc. Plus it's been fine for the last 2 or so years since. Obviously if you removed the shaft, rockers and pedestals as one unit then, yes you would need to do he head gasket. But not for the shaft itself, even if you do have to be a bit careful with all the rockers and springs etc, but doable.  

[1984mini25]

Actually after having a look at a pic of the rocker assembly to jog my memory, The locking plate for the rockers is on the front 4 rocker pedestal nuts, NOT the rear 4 for the head gasket... so the head gasket isn't going to be disturbed.