shaft wear questions....

[westcoastgalaxie]

I posted this up on the other forum but didn't get much so I was looking for some more input. I should have a new rocker coming to replace that worn out one. Thanks

http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/thread/1463330220/last-1463368041/View+Thread

[Ford428CJ]

Lack of oil for some reason. Your tip is also warren too. That's why I think it's a oiling issue.

[westcoastgalaxie]

Thanks Wes. So do you think that slow coolant leak could cause that kind of wear? I'm leaning towards that, but would like a solid explanation to know I've got it fixed before tossing new parts in there. Ill still spin the pump with the rockers off to be sure of that much, covered of course 

[westcoastgalaxie]

Well spun slowly with a drill and I have plenty of oil with the rockers off. Double checked my tins and they have proper clearance. So I guess that has to leave the coolant leak.

[My427stang]

Where was the rocker on the shaft?  Was the one with the worn tip the same one as the galling?  Last, you may have said it, but are you running restricted up top?

I have seen where the last rocker can run dry if you restrict, basically all the oil dumps at the prior rockers before you get to it, but that generally only happens with worn parts.

If the oddball rocker is also the one that galled on the shaft, I blame the rocker, but otherwise I'd be looking at oiling.  Although I have long heard the "antifreeze is an abrasive" comments, I have done hundreds of bad head gaskets and never saw something wear when it got a little coolant in the oil, even overhead cam engines that look like they are full of cheese just clean up and drive off when repaired

[westcoastgalaxie]

That one oddly enough looked the best. All rockers tips showed a bit of wear but that one was extreme. It was also in the middle and not at the ends.

Yes running 80 jets for restrictors and a HV pump. Canton road race t pan so ~8 qt system. Everything I have read says restrictors are appropriate at this level. I could run without but I would fear flooding. I am running a solid flat tappet in a hyd block, passages not blocked.

As for coolant it was several years slowly getting worse running like that. Driven about once or twice  a month with 5-6 months hibernation in winter. Looking at the oil today I can see how it could cause lube issues on startup and even running that area is the least pressurized.

Not sure what else would cause it. To your point maybe a issue with rockers leaking oil but short of that one they all measure in spec. Unless the book is wrong and 4-5 thou is too much. Maybe restrictors are the problem.... Gotta take all of this down to the machine shop so I will discuss with him. Maybe he will see something I am missing.

[My427stang]

I personally think .005 is a lot, I'd rather see .002-ish, but the ID of the rocker can be difficult to measure.  Remember, .005, then add heat which opens it up, then put pressure upwards, that is a lot of clearance, and all on top during operation

FWIW, when I do restrict, which is rarely, I don't do it because the top end floods, I do it because the pan I am using is too small. 

Regardless, an 80 jet is a fire hose, that certainly didn't cause the problem

[Dot Heton]

I have a quick question on restricting the passage. If you just drop an 80 jet in the hole you will get flow around the threads too. If I was to tap the passage and screw a brass plug in there, what size hole would I drill in the plug? A Holley 80 jet is .089

[westcoastgalaxie]

I just dropped mine in so I suppose I might be getting flow around the jet. The hole size depends on your results. Something you have to experiment with. I would say 80 jet size would be a good start.