10 replies to this topic

[stuupnorth]

Hi guys 

i have heard that it is possible to remove the rocker shaft assy without up setting

the head gasket is this true??

its on a 1275 if that helps ??

Cheers

Stu

[colinf1]

Yes, undo the rocker shaft split pin, back off the adjusters then you can remove it arm by arm as you remove the shaft.

[timmy850]

It’s a good idea to drain the coolant below the level of the head gasket just in case there is some separation, you will minimise coolant seeping between the gasket

[Shooter63]

Yes, undo the rocker shaft split pin, back off the adjusters then you can remove it arm by arm as you remove the shaft.

Can you explain to me how you managed this as the rocker shaft is locked into place by the grub screw on the rocker shaft pillar with a retaining plate which is held in place by a head stud/nut? I presume you have to take these off first?

Shooter

[colinf1]

Sorry, misread the initial post and assumed it was a rocker arm to be taken off... ignore me!

[stuart bowes]

I don't know so don't take this as official instructions but..

 

(more of a question really)  if you just undo the relevant nuts to take the rocker assembly off and leave the other bolts holding the head on.. when reassembling, would it be adviseable to loosen off all the bolts and do the correct full re-tightening process again, or can you leave them alone and just tighten the rocker assembly bolts

 

seems to me that loosening them all and doing the whole tightening process again properly would be the right way.  maybe even loosening them all off slightly while you remove the rockers

 

interested to read what others think

Edited by stuart bowes, 14 March 2025 - 01:08 PM.

[Cooperman]

I think it's not something I would want to do.

You would be removing 4 of the 9 nuts holding the head onto the block and all on one edge of the gasket line.

Of course, you may get away with it, but if the gasket subsequently fails be sure it  will happen at the most inconvenient time.

Why not do the job properly and take the head off, do the rocker shaft work and put the head back on with a new gasket. It's an afternoon job.

Edited by Cooperman, 15 March 2025 - 12:24 PM.

[Shooter63]

It’s a good idea to drain the coolant below the level of the head gasket just in case there is some separation, you will minimise coolant seeping between the gasket

This is very good advice, take the bottom hose off at the water pump end, that will drop the water level below the head gasket line, the head gasket tends to bond itself to the block and head, so coolant ingress is very unlikely.

Shooter

[imack]

I have in the past replaced the rocker assembly by undoing the 4 head stud nuts and in my case it didn't cause any issues, but it's risky.
Depending on the age of the block, you could drain the coolant from the drain plug on the rear, or if you have one, the drain plug or fan switch on the radiator.

[Cooperman]

If you do this and there is either a weep of coolant from the gasket, or if you feel there may be a risk, then it's unlikely the gasket will re-seal properly when the shaft is refitted.

Head nuts are always tightened in a set sequence and that's done for a good reason. Taking just the back 4 off then re-torquing just those is far from ideal.

That's just my personal view and, of course, you may get away with it, (or not as the case may be).

[stuupnorth]

cheers guys for the replies stu