61 Chevy rocker arm shaft...up or down?

[cyberspar]

I am helping my Dad with a problem. He recently put a 'new' junk yard rocker arm assembly in his '61 straight six 235 Chevy, and has since had a rash of bent push rods due to frozen valves. I pulled out Chiltons, which of course was of little help. I see it all as a lubrication problem, and what I think has happened is that the rocker arm shafts are installed upside down, with the oil ports (one for each rocker arm) facing down. My instincts tell me the ports should be facing up, corresponding with the little tiny oil outlet holes on the top of each arm. But I can't find anyone locally who has a clue. HELP!!! The schematic diagram in Chilton's seems to show them facing down, but it's hard to tell.

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

I'm not much of an engine guy but I'll try to help. As the shaft fills with oil and the oil comes out of the holes, doesn't it circulate between the shaft and the individual rockers? I seem to think that the inside of the rockers that (the part that slides on the shaft) has a groove in it to allow the oil to flow. I would think that it then runs through the rocker and out to the end at the valve.

It's been a very long time since I have had a six apart so please don't take this as gospel. Just some of my thoughts.

I looked at my manual for a 58 Chevy six (should be the same) and it looked the same as the one in the Motors manual (maybe a little clearer). It just shows three holes on the top side of the shaft which I would guess are the holes for the hold downs.

Have you checked the oil connector to see if it is plugged?

Sorry I'm not much help.
Ron

[cyberspar]

Hey, thanks for your reply. I know what you are thinking, but in this case the thin indented oil grove that runs around the inside of the rocker arm where it slides over the shaft doesn't line up with the oil ports on the rocker arm shaft. Plus, the oil "jet" hole on the top of the rocker arm isn't in line with that indented grove. If the rocker arm shaft is oriented so the oil holes are facing down, the oil being pressured out has no where to go when the rocker arms are slid into position. On the other hand, when the oil holes are facing UP, the little jet on each arm is oriented more or less over the hole in the shaft, and a good 'ol little stream of oil blurts out at idle. I have to think the shafts are meant to be oriented with the oil hole facing up. It isn't what the generic books show though. What I really need is a full blown shop manual from that year. Hard to find I suppose. Maybe Ebay!

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

All I have that is close is a 58 Manual. It shows the three large holes facing up. It also says that the rockers need to be in their proper location according to the number on the rocker arm. Are yours in the correct location? Just making sure you didn't miss anything is all.

If the rockers oil well with the holes facing up, then why not install it that way? I have found books to be incorrect.

If all else fails, try the guys at the chevytalk site. A lot of great knowledge there.

Hope this helps.
Ron

[cyberspar]

Well, I like your point that if it works, leave it alone. Yes, I have the arms in their right locations, and I think the fact that their is a good spurt of oil out of each arm when revved up means I should consider my solution the right one. I hate to think I might be sacrificing proper lubrication of the arm on the shaft, from underneath where the friction is. I still wonder if there is something I am overlooking. You mentioned the Chevy Talk guys. Is there a separate web address for them? I can't seem to find them on this site. Thanks again.

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

www.chevytalk.com

Go to the 61 to 64 board. Some very smart people there.

You make the comment that there is a spurt of oil when revved up. I think that you should get oil out of them all the time, even at idle. I remember adjusting valves back in the day and you ended up with oil all over. I would also worry that the underside is not getting enough oil possibly.

Keep us posted or I will read about you on the chevytalk board.

Ron

[37 Terraplane#2]

on SOME engines the intake and exhaust push rods are a differant length, is that the case here ?

[MRMuaz]

Hi, This post of mine is very knowledgable and may enhance the information of the viewers , however I would like some specific information for myself. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

[wyraider]

Without looking I can't remember which way they go, but I think they go up, so the oil can then run down. But are there not holes on both sides that align with holes on both sides, one side to feed and the other to oil? I've had several 235 chevys and had this same trouble a few times myself starting out dead broke and driving 61/62 chevys with 6 cyls. The bent push rods-I'd bet that you're not setting the valves in the correct order, you have to start TDC and turn the motor by hand with a big breaker bar, pull your plugs so it turns over really easy. Then set the valves in the correct order by the book. EXAMPLE ONLY, on TDC #2&5 intake, #3&6 exhaust then turn to where the book specifies, set the next, and so on.(look at your local library and you can copy the MOTOR or CHILTON pages pretty cheap). Be sure you have the correct push rod lengths for that specific block, head, rocker assembly, too. Could the rocker assembly have come off a 230,250,261(truck),292 possibly? A couple of these had different head/ rocker heights if I remember correctly. NAPA can come up with different rod lengths pretty easily. The stuck valves-if it comes down to it pull the head and try using Rislone(yellow bottle at parts store) to get the gunked up oil & carbon knocked loose by propping the head up side down and pour in the head so it gets in the valves and let it sit a week or so, it really knocks the crap out of carbon. Add some diesel or PB blaster to thin it if that don't work. My grandfather tested motor oils in the 60s for Wakasha (BIG industiral pump and generator motors) for years and he told me to use Rislone to clean up dirty motors. You'll really see a big difference after a few oil changes that your oil is staying clean longer.( They, along with the Navy, my dad was an engineer, also used straight detergent, yes laundry soap in those days,but don't try this at home!) Good luck and I hope this will help.

[wyraider]

If you don't figure it out email me at wyraider@yahoo and I'll grab one of my dad's books next time I'm over there and hook you up with specifics. BTW wanna sell it? Joking