rocker stand shims

[centredautomag]

I need to shim my rocker stand .240 is there some shim kit avaliable
 Thanks Marc.

[Nightmist66]

I made my own. I got some 1/4" steel flat stock and used a drill press, a die grinder, and a large stone to make sure it was flat and even. After I trued it, it came out to about .240", which is what I needed to shim my Harland Sharps with POP shafts, stands, spacers. If you are planning on running studs, I bought some custom length ARP's from one of the vendors on here. I had to neck down the oiling one, as it was a straight 3/8" stud. Here's my homemade junk:

[centredautomag]

Very nice job. Time to get the tools out and play. thanks Marc

[MrRupp]

I know this is a dumb question, but how do you know when you need to shim your rocker stands ?
Thanks Clint

[blykins]

I know this is a dumb question, but how do you know when you need to shim your rocker stands ?
Thanks Clint

When the rocker arm pattern on the valve stem isn't where you want it to be. 

[Stangman]

Hey Nightmist 66 just noticing the single spring. Is the conical spring stronger than a regular spring or is the cam very mild seat pressure wise.

[Nightmist66]

The springs are/were a beehive. Very similar to the conicals. They were 155/377open for a custom solid flat tappet that just bit the dust a short time ago. They were set up with different shims/locks for break-in. Had the lightweight shell lifters in it and custom .115" wall  5/16" chromemoly pushrods. Now moving on to a slightly larger solid roller and dual spring setup...

[Stangman]

Ok thanks, so did the cam go on breakin or just over time.

[Nightmist66]

Happened during break-in. Brand new scratch build. 50 mins. run time. 

[blykins]

If those were the valve springs that you used for break-in, that's why it wiped....

[Nightmist66]

So, have you had experience with these springs and flat tappets for break-in? They were set up with less shim and +.050" locks to keep the pressure down. Is it due to rate on these springs?

[blykins]

Yes, I use them quite a bit, but I always put a single spring or low pressure dual spring on during breakin.  I aim for spring pressures at around 90-100 seat and under 300 open.  You were likely still pretty high on pressure. 

A .050” valve lock change will only change the spring pressures by 15-18 lbs or so.

[Nightmist66]

Seat pressure was around 100psi and I can't remember what the open was.....

[blykins]

You can multiply your cam lift times the spring rate and add it to the seat pressure to find out.

It would take a lot of change to drop 55 lbs off the seat though.