Assembling the Rocker Arm Bases

If you have not disassembled your rocker arm bases, you may skip this section.

Locate your rocker arm parts. Lube, and then install the rockers into the rocker-bases, if they were removed. To do this, position the rocker barrel that operates the exhaust valves for the rear cylinder (for example) into its place in the rocker base.

Next, while holding the rocker in place with one hand, slide its rocker-shaft through the right-side mount, through the rocker barrel, and into the left-side mount. Tip: The end with the key-way goes in last.

Warning: Do not force anything. The bearing surfaces between the mounts and rockers are easily damaged.

Push the rocker-shaft in all the way, until it stops.

Next, insert the retainer bolt loosely into the hole on top of the mount. View the photo above to see where it goes. Take a screwdriver to the slot in the end of the rocker-shaft and gently rotate it. As you do, one of three things will happen:

• The shaft will turn easily until the retainer bolt suddenly drops down. This indicates that the shaft key-way is now properly aligned with the retainer bolt.
• The shaft will turn easily, around and around. This indicates that the shaft is pushed in too far, or not far enough. Adjust it in and/or out until you achieve the situation above.
• The shaft will have extremely limited rotation. This indicates that the shaft key-way is already aligned with the retainer bolt. Perfect.

Now tighten the retainer bolt to 7.2 ft-lbs, which is 86.4 in-lbs.

Take picts.