Edelbrock Heads - Loose Rockers, Oiling Question?

Mine happened as I fired it up in the garage so hopefully nothing cracked! Time will tell I guess (Ive got only about 250 miles on it since)

 

Well same with me, night before it ran like a dream, smooth as silk, started it the next day and noise city. I kept thiking it was the intake gasket, as at first coolant did not get into the oil, was just buring it. Kinda a mystery still. but figure im ahead of the game, buying used heads, getting them checked and rebuilt, would be an easy $500 alone, I got the 430 for a deal so im ahead of the game I think [ still want the fix the 350 at some point, breaking in just new lifter went smooth ]

 

OK, had a brief bout of motivation come over me and I pulled the valve cover off, as expected 5 exhaust had backed off noticeable.

I put one of the 1" poly locks I have on hand on it to see what it looked like. Doesn't look like much thread engagement to me. I count roughly 7 threads total and I see 3-ish threads sticking out the top. So, about 1/2 engagement by my count.

What is the general consensus on poly locks and the set screw? Is half enough? Can I grind on the tip of the poly lock set screw to get more depth into the body?

Summit has these Comp Cams Poly Locks that are 1.3" which is .3" taller than the one pictured. Seems like .3" would be about perfect to get full engagement.

A few things I have questions about:

1. Can I put a hardened washer under the poly lock between it and the ball pivot? Like the ones for head bolts maybe?
2. How much engagement of threads is enough for poly locks?
3. Can I grind on the set screw where there's no threads to get better depth?
4. Can I just buy a new lock nut like the old one and things will be fine, I just got a bad one?
5. What are my odds of keeping my chrome valve covers if I have to go with taller poly locks, say 1.3" instead of my 1"?
6. Anyone want to buy a fresh 462 with TA212 cam and Edelbrock heads? JUST KIDDING!

The poly lock on #5 exhaust at 3/4 of a turn beyond 0 lash. Haven't run it yet but will when I get back from vacation.



Set screw compared to the engagement in the poly lock body.

 

Sure, throw a .080 to .100 hardened washer between the poly lock and the rocker pivot, then use the poly locks.. should be no problem, the allen set screw is just there to keep the lock from backing off, the nut/stud are doing the hard work.

I would not suspect you would have an issue..

JW

 

I haven't put poly-locks on a Buick yet, but every other engine I've used them on required minimal or no modifications for clearance. The most mods I've needed to make were to pop four holes into each of the Oldsmobile valve covers for clearance. Another engine needed double valve cover gaskets. Yet another needed nothing at all.

Stud girdles require tall valve covers. Polylocks, not so much.

 

Good news then. I'll be passing by Summit in Georgia tomorrow about 4PM and have a shopping list ready: rocker arm oil deflectors, hardened washers, temp & oil pressure gauges with numbers and heater block offs!

More good news. I did check the valve cover with the one on #5 exhaust. Can't tell it is contacting. We'll see what 16 of them do with the washers. I've got gaskets that are as thick as the flange is deep now and another pair I didn't use that I can probably stack.

It might all come together before Labor Day yet!

 

If ya know any wood workers, could make a solid spacer out of some nice hard wood. [ trick is having a nice table scroll saw ]

 

So, just trace a valve cover then set the valve cover gasket in that to trace the inside? I'm guessing uses a gasket on each side of the wood? Interesting idea. I'm sure I won't need that much. It looks like double gaskets is as far as I'll have to go. Even though they are chrome, I'm wanting to go with that "nothing to see here" look.

 

I don't know how much you need, just a suggestion, then you would have something in there solid to fill the gap that you can torque the bolts against n not worry sbout to much squish. and the less costly route then having someone make them in say aluminum on CNC. [ buy em a new blade n could used scroll saw to cut soft aluminum ]

 

They make 3/8 thick cork V/C gaskets.. TA has them..

No need to overthink this one..

JW

 

OK, anyone got a suggestion on how these work? There's no instructions with them and they don't appear to be "clipping" on to anything. They just flop around.

I'm pretty sure when I fire it up, they will all sling off and oil will go everywhere.

 

Greg,

They should clip around the rocker.. don't be afraid to bend them a bit if required.

JW

 

That's how they worked thirty years ago when my friend had a set.

I bought the all-stamped-steel version; they weren't much better.

Eventually, I cut a slot across the top of a spare valve cover which was better than any of the clip-on oil deflectors. Later, I just learned to do it with the engine off.

 

Well, I had to bend the crap out of them to get them to work at all.

I had one rocker stud that was mangled by the old lock nut. Had to run a die over it. Looks like crap but didn't have another one available. The poly lock goes on and locks down.

Several poly locks weren't tapped all the way through. The jamb screw would not go all the way out the top. Had to tap 3 of them. Quality control is crap these days.

Seems to be quieter and I'm thinking they won't back off now. No issues with the factory style valve covers.

Didn't get as much oil as I expected out of the rockers though. Seems to be just a trickle at idle and not much more at 1,200 RPM even with good oil pressure.

On to the other problems now. One down and many more to go before she's reliable again!

 

OK, I'm beginning to think this motor is cursed! WTF is going on. I swear I'm going to put the old motor back in if this keeps up! OK, I feel better. On to the continued issue(s) with this thing.

First, the poly locks seemed to have cured one issue but I'm still not getting any oil up top. I have great oil pressure but no oil at the push rods/rockers and oil at the lifters.

Here's a video. Hopefully, someone has an idea. I just don't want to keep throwing money at something that isn't going to work out.

[video=youtube;3oXJu8953vY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oXJu8953vY[/video]

 

Is that the driver side or both sides?
gary

 

That is passenger side, number four exhaust I think. I haven't taken the drivers side off yet.

 

So are you priming the oil pump with a drill in the video?

 

Yes, got to about 60lbs on the gauge.

 

The rockers are fed as they pump oil up thru the pushrod.. the engine has to be running..

I thought you said you saw oil up there with it running?

JW