Author Topic: Rocker shaft came loose....oops  (Read 625 times)

Offline IndyCuda

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Rocker shaft came loose....oops
« on: June 26, 2010 - 04:06:09 PM »
I rebuilt my 340 over the spring with a valve job, Voodoo cam and some head work. I installed some TTI's and drove it to the shop to have them weld my X pipe and Spintechs in. Obviously it was loud as all get out on the way over with open headers, but ran like a champ with no problems. After the exhaust was on I hear the dreaded light dinging noise. It originally was not very loud and sounded like a loose rocker arm. I only live a few miles away so I start to drive it. A mile down the road I lose power and dinging is much louder. I pull the valve cover off and had 1 rocker arm still attatched  :clapping:  The two outer shaft mounting bolts were laying on the edge of the head. They had apparently vibrated loose. It doesn't appear to be anything major, a slightly bent rod. I am a little confused. I torqued the shafts down to 17 ft/lbs. Do I need to use some blue Loctite next time?




Offline Moparal

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Re: Rocker shaft came loose....oops
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2010 - 05:03:20 PM »
should be 25 ft lbs :2thumbs:

Offline Changin Gears

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Re: Rocker shaft came loose....oops
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2010 - 06:06:15 PM »
17 ft/lbs is correct for a small block, big blocks get 25.


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Offline Bullitt-

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Re: Rocker shaft came loose....oops
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2010 - 08:18:11 PM »
I find that newly installed items need to be re-torqued after a heat cycle, just about everything I check is loose.
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Rocker shaft came loose....oops
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2010 - 03:02:28 AM »
couldn`t hurt to use some loctite as well

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