improving stock rocker arms

[simon]

just got my new set of cast iron TRW replacement rocker arms for my 250, they´re pretty rough on the outside.

Wanted to do some deburring the rough burrs and polishing for stress relieving... I know it won´t give me much of an advantage at all, but in general, is it a bad idea to "improve" stock rockers a bit?

 

[falcon fanatic]

If I'm not mistaken, polishing actually increases surface tension thereby exacerbating stress. That's why you have to shot peen rods after polishing, to break the surface tension created by polishing. Of course, I'm completely open to the possiblility that this is complete BS :roll:

 

[Falcon62]

The stock rockers are not prone to breaking so little is to be gained by polishing them. I'd check to make sure the oiling grooves/holes are burr free and not worry about casting flash on parting lines.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Simon and All:

You didn't say which new rockers you got or why, but check the oil hole at about the 10:00 position on the valve side of each rocker. Early adjustible rockers have an oil hole of 3/32", while all of the '70's non-adjustible rockers have a hole of 1/8". Whatever you have, it is cheap insurance to make sure the hole is a full 1/8" and free of any obstructions.

Be sure to thoroughly clean the shaft inside and out before installing the new rockers.

I would knock of any casting flashing before installing so that that metal does not end up inside your engine.

Adios, David

 

[Maverick250]

:idea: You can improve them more by having them re-radiused to 1:1.6. Rocker Arm Specialist will do them for $185.

 

[simon]

... I just tend to go crazy about litte unimportant things.

considering my old stock rockers lasted more than 100.000 miles and did not suffer any damage from material fatigue, I won´t do any more than just checking measurements and oiling grooves and holes.
Or maybe... ?
no.
there are a tousand things which are more important than polished rocker arms. like, getting the vacuum leak at my carburetors throttle shaft fixed... and new floorboards... and paint... :roll:

thanks for sharing your opinion

 

[Asa]

but paint, floorboards, that takes how long?
get a dremel and how long does it take to do the rockers?
i can see an argument for the carb though