Thread: ford 361 rocker help

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Originally Posted by 58ranger

Got the new shafts. They appear to be the same except the new ones have fewer oiling holes and the one hole is recessed. This shouldn't matter right?Attachment 56862

1. Make certain that the oiling holes are toward the heads, not towards the sky. (Ask me how I know this.)
2. Make certain to use the correct size core plug and cotter pin retainer in the ends of the shafts. Use no sealant.
3. For a street motor, use the separator springs, ala stock. For a competition motor, mock up the assembly, measure between rockers and make mild steel tubes and precision ground flat washers to replace the springs, leaving about 0.010" lateral play for each tube. Position each rocker pad exactly over the valve tip and use washers and tubes to fill in the gaps. I learned this by talking with Racer Brown on the phone about 40 years ago.
4. Remember that this arrangement was produced by the factory to contend with stock valve springs. Expect problems at the rocker/shaft interface if stronger springs are used. Hard chroming the shafts can delay the problem. I think someone makes a roller bearing shaft system, but they come pretty dear.