replacing #1 rocker

[jeffnhiscars]

how common are broken rocker arms on the m20's? i've heard of this before.

Common enough. Besides broken timing belts being an obvious cause, my understanding is that they break from a combination of metal fatigue & high revving. One suggestion is to grind smooth the stress risers under the eccentric & the other is to go with HD rockers from IE.

Having just repaired the damage from a PO's broken TB, I will say that all the piston damage was where the rockers did NOT break so if you are not racing or going to FI, I'd stay with stock rockers.

Just my $.02

[downforce22]

Since we agree you can't drive the rocker shaft to the rear with the head on that leaves driving it towards the front as per above. Are you saying you can tap a socket and or extension from the rear of the head when its still on the car ?

Yes, a small socket to get the shaft started and then an extension or two to get it further until you can slide it out by hand.

[jeffnhiscars]

I give up