Rocker Arm..............

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Anonymous

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Hello,

I just got a 61 two door Falcon wagon. All in all it is in good shape. I have been into cars since I was young but this is MY first one that I am doing all the work on. I dont know much so I could use a little help. She was knocking pretty bad so I took the valve cover off and noticed that no oil was really get up in it. So I took the rocker arm off, cleaned everything and blew out the holes with air. When I went to put it back together and gauge the valves, I found that two of the nuts on the bolts that rock the push rods (sorry I dont know what to call it),, were a different size then the rest and will not tighten down. So I guess I have two questions..(if any of this makes sence) One, can I just replace the nuts or do I need to find the whole bolt as well? They look pretty solid. Two, once back together, I still was not getting enough oil up. I had it coming through three of six holes. The oil pressure is good, it is just still not coming through like it should still. Any thoughts? Sorry if this is stupid, like I said I am learning. Thanks!

Alison
 
When you say "bolts that rock the push rods", you're referring to the adjustable part of the rocker assembly, with a ball tip on it, that engages with the top of the push rod - correct?

The rocker assemblies I've seen all came with interference threads. This meant there wasn't a locking nut on the adjuster; it was supposed to jam in the rocker arm all by itself. Over the years, this can wear from adjustment in and out... So, it's quite easy to imagine someone using a handful of compatible threaded nuts as locking devices.

The rocker assembly is interchangeable right to the last American made motor. There are adjustable and non-adjustable types (but you can't use the non-adjustable ones). Should you want to, it's possible to buy and install a rebuilt set.

As regards the oiling situation - there may be still some blockages in the shaft drillings. Driving out the plugs at each end of the shaft, cleaning the oil holes with copper wire and flushing everything through, would be a way of tackling that issue. If you pull the whole assembly apart for cleaning, be sure to refit the rockers in original order so the wear patterns match.

Regards, Adam.
 
Howdy Alison:

And welcome to The Forum:

This will be one of the very best resources you will find in your Falcon Adventure.

In addition to the good advice Adam has already given you on cleaning the inside of the rocker shaft know that each rocker has two holes that easily can get gunked up due to time and neglect. When you remove each rocker arm from the shaft look for two holes. If you look at the rocker from the front (adjuster/pushrod on the right) you will find a 3/32" hole at about the 3 O'clock position. You'll find another 1/8" hole the valve side at the 10 O'clock position. These can be cleaned out with a drill- and you might want to drill both sides out to the 1/8" size.

If the disassembly and cleaning doesn't get oil to all rockers within about 30 seconds after start up, you may have to look deeper.

Change the oil and filter often and use a good detergent oil and/or additive to clean out the rest of the engines oil system.

If you haven't yet acquired a shop manual, add it to your Christmas list right away. It will be invaluable.

Again, welcome and don't hesitate to ask for help.

Adios, David
 
Thank you both! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer what is probably an easy question for most. Thanks again i will keep you posted on how it turns out!
 
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