The TIII rocker arm fix.....

[lotashelbys]

I finally finished my idea to fix the problem with the wear of the sides of the rocker arms from the hold-down. All I did was machined off a little material on the sides were the hold-down gouges into the aluminum. Then machined some steel machine bushings to make up for the material that was taken off. This should work really well cause it steel on steel instead of steel on aluminum. Also the washers can rotate on the shaft so the wear will be evenly distributed on the whole washer. The washer can also be easily replaced if it happens to wear out. Here are some pics. Sorry for the poor quality my camera didnt like to focus like I wanted it to.......
The machined rocker

The washers

The rocker with washer

Rocker assembly on shaft

The jig that bolts to the mill to hold them flat

So what do you guys think? I am thinking of having a run of 500 washers made by a buddy at a screw-machine shop so that I dont have to get the ID of the washers cut that I got at the hardware store.

[iTurbo]

Neato! Are you going to be trying this out on a running car soon?

Your hold-down pieces look a lot different than mine!? You can sort of see them in this picture of a broken rocker:

http://www.turbosedan.com/spirit/DSC00961.JPG

Here's a better pic....notice they are totally flat on top.
http://www.turbosedan.com/spirit/DSC02629.JPG

[lotashelbys]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iTurbo Neato! Are you going to be trying this out on a running car soon? Your hold-down pieces look a lot different than mine!? You can sort of see them in this picture of a broken rocker: http://www.turbosedan.com/spirit/DSC00961.JPG Here's a better pic....notice they are totally flat on top. http://www.turbosedan.com/spirit/DSC02629.JPG

I was just gonna put them in the motor im putting together now but that wont be running for at least another month. I think I will throw them on another car in the next few days and try them for you all.

I have never seen hold-downs like that. I have seen at least 30 motors worth and they all look like the cast-style ones that I have in my pics.

Does anyone else have the machined looking hold-downs like iTurbo has????

[Blue Iroc R/T]

iTurbo type on mine:
http://www.pbase.com/rmscott/image/65715049

http://www.pbase.com/rmscott/image/65715034

But then this pic on the same head looks more like Jacksons:
http://www.pbase.com/rmscott/image/65765506

Edit: ^ I looked at this pic again and this is a pic that I borrowed from some one else and it is NOT from the same head. Just wanted to clairify.

Either way the fix should work on either design. Looks like an excellent fix to me. Good Work Jackson!

[iTurbo]

Well it turns out I have both kinds. The head on my Spirit R/T has the machined ones in the pics I posted. The head I'm putting on my SL is like ones Jackson has in his pics.

I had the hold-downs on my Spirit R/T dry film lubed at LWP to try and prevent the rocker side wear from happening. I removed my intake rocker shaft yesterday and it still looks like they are being wore into by the hold-downs. Can't wait to hear how this works for you Jackson.

[lotashelbys]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowSL2 Maybe the hold downs were re-designed for the 93 model year?

Dont think so,I have 2 sets of 93 hold-downs and they are the cast type.

[lotashelbys]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowSL2 That's why I was thinking that it might be a re-design. I work at an auto plant and manufacturers love to change designs each model year as well as mid-year. Mainly internal engine and drivetrain components.

You could be right.

You guys with the machined style ones,are they out of Dunn heads? The reason I ask is you could have gotten loaded warranty heads and like what LowSL2 said they might of changed the tooling when Mopar sourced out a new company to re-cast the heads and related pieces. Do the machined ones have INA stamped in them by chance???

[abarguy]

Hey Jackson, I have a spare head with your type of rocker bolt and hold down and, surprise, surprise, one of the rockers was machined flat and a washer installed. No kidding! And just for the record, the washer was steel
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Tom OFlynn

3 x 1991 Spirit R/T's
2005 Sebring convertible
1969 Swinger 340
1996 Neon beater!!!

[iloveshelbys]

should make this into a sticky

[turbovanman]

3 of mine heads have the steel hold downs,

[92 R/T]

I'll buy some from you when u do my head gasket jackson

[Chris Faulk]

Last time I had my car apart to change the retainers I noticed a few of my rockers were worn pretty good.

What would it cost me to get all 16 machined and get a set of washers from you?

I don't know of any machine shops here I can trust.

[LowSL2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Faulk Last time I had my car apart to change the retainers I noticed a few of my rockers were worn pretty good. What would it cost me to get all 16 machined and get a set of washers from you? I don't know of any machine shops here I can trust.

I'm interested too. I have a some spares that I want to get machined.

[lotashelbys]

I am gonna have to check for sure but I think I can do them for $225 a set