Rocker Shaft Position Confirmation

[MisterMiniS]

I purchased a rebuilt head and the rocker shafts seem to be a little off center (or off angle). Can I get a confirmation of the position they should be in? Here is an image of where they are currently. As a result, you can see that the key that sits in the notches on the shafts cannot get flush with the top of the head. This seems wrong to me.





I'm assuming they need to be vertical like the right side of my doodle. Regardless, if I do need to rotate the shafts, what is the best way to do that with all head internals installed?

Thanks!

[TobyB]

yeah, that key should sit flush with the surface of the head.

How? That, I dunno...

t

[ForcedFirebird]

The key does not sit flush with the head, even when the shafts are oriented properly.

Move your cam until you can slide a rocker out of the way. Using a pick and the oil passage under the rocker, you can pry them being careful not to scratch the shaft. That is if it bothers you, but as long as the holes oil holes are on the bottom of the shafts, that little angle isn't going to change much.

Whoever worked on that head should stay away from internal engine parts. Looks like, not only are the shafts installed improperly,they used vice grips on them and marked them pretty good.

EDIT: The key is in there to keep the shafts from walking or rotating. A local Spec e30 racer had his head rebuilt and the machine shop forgot to put that key in. The shafts rotated, popped off all the rocker retainers, rockers moved fore/aft and the head ate itself.

[Ether-D]

If you're careful, you can grab it with channel locks and rotate it a bit. I wrap the rocker shaft with emery cloth and grab that with the pliers. Good luck.

[ForcedFirebird]

If you're careful, you can grab it with channel locks and rotate it a bit. I wrap the rocker shaft with emery cloth and grab that with the pliers. Good luck.

Look at the pic. Looks like someone tried that already, but sans the emery paper/cloth.