I just bought a set of heads and rocker shafts for my 430 that i am building. When I bought them he told me that all i needed was the spacers for the rockers were do i get them and what are the called. I don't really know what he is talking about. thanks Adam
Rocker shims??? Adam What kind of Rockers? Factory, roller rockers or some other after market produce? I'm not sure what the previous owner ment when he talked about spacers. The rocker arm cradles are not designed for spacers with factory or aftermarket rocker arms. If you have adjustable rockers or adjustable pushrods no spacers would be required. If you have non-adjustable rocker and non-adjustable push rods this is when a spacer might be needed. Again, the Buick rocker arm cradle is not designed for a spacer. When and if you mill the block and/or heads the valve clearance tightens to the point the valves may hang open or float when at high rpms. The only way you can correct this situation is with adjustable rockers or adjustable pushrods. Spacers are not an appropriate method of adjusting valve clearance on a buick. If you were to use shims you would raise the rocker arm shaft above the cradle center line and push rods may begin to hit the cylinder head at the point of the push rod passage. Another concern would be that the rocker arm may not set correctly on the valve stem at wide open position. As far as I'm concern shimming the rocker arm assembly is out of the question. A little more info from you might help solve this mystery and then we may be able to point you in the right direction. Weekender
Your right Your right, How simple could it be. He may have a box full of parts that need to be assembled. Anyway, we need more info. to make an informed response. Thanks Scot! Weekender
They are the stock rocker shafts that came on the heads I think there needs to be some spacers between the actual rocker arms. There is springs on there now between the rockers but not between the intake and exhaust rockers hopefully this helps. Thanks guys
The only thing that goes between the left/right rocker arms on the stock shafts are the keepers that the bolts go through to bolt the assembly to the heads. This is true for the '68-'69 350/400/430 as far as I know. Here's a pic, not real clear but should give you the idea.
Those keepers are what I am missing on mine there is nothin between the rockers do you know were I can get those at? Do they sell them new ?
I guess the actual term is rocker shaft retainer. CARS Inc lists them (NOS) for the '68-'69 350, but not the 400, at $3.25 apiece. I know both engines use the same rocker arms, maybe the retainers are the same as well. The shafts on the 400 are longer, but the diameter should be the same. I'd guess that means the retainer is the same. If you're not in a huge hurry I know I have both styles (350/400) in my garage, just have to find them. I could check on the part numbers and see if they are the same. Should be able to do that Saturday.
The spacers he si looking for are different between the 350 and the 400/430. The 350 spacers are narrower. He will need 400/430 spacers. Jim Burek
Thanks Jim, I wondered if the valves would be farther apart requiring wider spacers but wasn't sure. I knew the rockers carried the same part numbers so the shaft diameter was the same. Adam, I'll still look on Saturday as I've started collecting the '68-'69 style rocker assemblies (both 350 and 400). I may be able to come up with an extra set of the 400 retainers that I could part with.
Here's a pic of what I think you're talking about. Made these up several years back. Originally I'd planned to run a hardened washer between aluminum rocker and aluminum spacer cuz similar metals wear faster than dis-similar metals in a lubricated rubbing situation. Decided to give them a try sans washer and they've worked out well. About 40,000 miles down the road only one rocker has the anodizing worn off the side where it contacts the spacer. 1" diameter 6061 T6 aluminum drilled a few thousandths over the rocker shaft size. Cut to rough size in a bandsaw, face off one end in a lathe assuring squareness, pilot drill and drill to size. Face off the other end for square, round the outer edges just a touch and hit the bore lightly with a countersink. Determine the expansion rate of aluminum before you make the final trim to length so they don't expand with heat and bind. An extra .020 clearance serves as a bit of insurance.
Another repo candidate? Jim's correct the big block retainers are quite a bit wider than the small block as this picture of the stock pieces shows. I do like the look of the custom made retainers. Adam, if you can't find new ones send me a PM.
Ken thanks for the info how much do you want for those retainers. I am kinda short on cash I just took my guitar to the guitar shop to have it rewired and new pickups put in so it will take me a while to save up. C9 thanks for the info to were did you get those roller rockers Did you use the stock rocker shafts. Please give me some more info thanks Adam
Adam, those are Kenne-Bell roller rockers. Circa 1985 or thereabouts. One thing I like about them is they're bushed instead of having needle bearings for the rocker shaft. Chevy guys I know who run needle bearing rockers on the street have good success with them so there's nothing wrong with running needle rockers. Nice part about the bushed rockers - and there are some advantages with plain bearings over needle bearings - is that the bushings are easily replaced if necessary. I ended up replacing a couple that went slightly egg-shaped. My fault because when I did the pre-lube I didn't rotate the crank assembly with pressure on to assure oil to all the rockers. Live and learn.... If you had access to lathe and mill, making your own roller rockers looks like a do-able deal. SBC valve roller & axle as well as Buick adjusters are available as replacement parts. The rocker shafts are Kenne-Bell. Pushrods are cut-down BBC by Crower, the rest of the valve train, springs, retainers etc. are K-B. I'd read the BBB shafts are weak and met up with a couple of Buick runners at Palmdale dragstrip - known nowadays as L.A. County Dragstrip - who strongly recommended K-B rocker shafts. One in fact had broken a rocker shaft in his 455 powered 38 Buick drag racing coupe. He admitted to trying to get by on the cheap and paid for it. I understand you can run stock rockers & shafts if you're running a mild, nearly stock engine and keep the revs down. Not sure what year or combination or modifications are required though. I'd like to know cuz a mild 455 or 430 is on the horizon for a future project. I think one of the BBB suppliers (TA?) carries a $129. combo - shafts & rockers that'll do it for a mild motor.
There are two generations of Buick rocker design. 1969 and earlier and 1970 and later. You can't switch generations with out other modifications. If need be myself or somebody else can explain. Dave PS - The KB rockers did not hold up well. Roller bearings are just as easy if not easier to change out as bushings, but you probably won't ever have to do it.
