Author Topic: Rocker arm shimming  (Read 1001 times)

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Tom Gahman

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Rocker arm shimming
« on: April 18, 2021, 06:55:31 PM »
I am reusing my Dove rocker arm assemblies that were on iron cj heads and now are going on Edelbrock heads. What is the clearance range when shimming? I have .020 for a pair of rockers.Also most rockers have a shim between them and the spacers but none between rocker and stand.No abnormal wear. Should I just shim to get the roller centered (side to side) or do we need a shim on both sides of the rocker? I hope I explained that well enough and thanks.
Tom

blykins

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Re: Rocker arm shimming
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2021, 06:34:13 AM »
I'd like to see a little tighter than .020", Tom.  I try to aim for .010-.015" on a pair.

I'd shim to get the rocker centered on the valve tip as well as you can. 
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My427stang

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Re: Rocker arm shimming
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2021, 07:20:41 AM »
To answer your question about a shim on both sides, I really like to do that and try to start with a .015 shim on the pedestal side whenever I can

My head tells me there is plenty of oil there to run alum against alum, but my gut tells me that those similar soft metals can gall.  No proof of one ever having issues, and I have run no shim on the pedestal side when I had to, I have also switched parts around to get room, and have clearanced a pedestal slightly to make room for a shim.  In the end, none of it seems to matter, but alum against alum is what I try to avoid as a general rule.

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Tom Gahman

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Re: Rocker arm shimming
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2021, 03:43:42 PM »
Thank you Brent and Ross, I'll see how it works out.
Thanks again.
Tom