Oversize rocker nuts?

[1930artdeco]

Ok, I am redoing the valves on the drivers side of my 312 as they are noisy. And they were way off on some cyl’s. And I found out why-I can turn the adjusting nut with my fingers! So is there an oversized nut I can buy or do I need to replace the rocker with one that has tight adjusting nuts?

Thanks,

Mike

[Daves55Sedan]

It's more like the rocker arms are good but the threads on the adjusting nut have become worn enough to make them loose.
I think if you can get some good adjusters, they will go into your old rocker arms with some friction (and that is what you want).
I had a couple of mine loosen up like that and someone from fordbarn sent me a couple he had, but I don't remember who it was.

[1930artdeco]

I just checked my backup supply of rockers and they are the 56 and earlier versions. So I may have to swap all the rockers out. Both sets are the ECG high ratio rockers so I should be good there. Just the adjustment will change.

[Daves55Sedan]

At least with the older style adjusters there is no chance of loosening because that type has the locknut on top.
Everybody wants to throw them away because you need a wrench AND screwdriver to complete the adjustment while having a second person hold the feeler gage.

[Anteek29]

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

At least with the older style adjusters there is no chance of loosening because that type has the locknut on top.
Everybody wants to throw them away because you need a wrench AND screwdriver to complete the adjustment while having a second person hold the feeler gage.

Just turn up the music, go slow, be patient and methodic...then go back and re-check all settings. Then, have a beer - NOT before!

[miker98038]

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It’s almost certainly worn threads on the adjuster. IIFC the rocker arm is a standard SAE thread, but the adjuster is a special interference fit. They should be tight even with a wrench on them. I made the mistake many years ago of wire brushing mine to clean them up, and the valves were loose in 3 miles.

If the problem continues, check the fit of the ball on the adjuster into the cup of the rocker. Some reports of oversized ball or undersize cup. You’ll see that in the wear pattern, and they won’t hold adjustment for long either.

[5851a]

I don't know about the Y blocks but Ford made an oversize adjuster bolt for the FE engines. I bought one once and it was sure a tight fit.

[1930artdeco]

I managed to find some spare adjusting nuts. I need three for the drivers side bank but got a few extra just in case. I still have to readjust the pass side. Then I have to find out why the thermo housing leaks.

[1930artdeco]

Are 56 and earlier ECG rockers the same as 57 and later ECG rockers? I have a complete set of the earlier rockers and may just use those if I cannot get the 57's to work right.

[paul2748]

There were two different ECG rocker arms. One type came with interference threads (suffix B2) and the other came with a lock nut (suffix A2). Both the same ratio. The B2 has a smaller height where the adjuster screwed in. The adjuster with the lock nut may work with he B2 if there is enough room for the nut to turn


Any other rockers were the lower ratio rockers.


Not sure, but I think the higher ratio rockers (ECG) were only used in 57 and 58, but if the 56 rockers you mentioned are ECG then they should be the high ratio..

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

Are 56 and earlier ECG rockers the same as 57 and later ECG rockers? I have a complete set of the earlier rockers and may just use those if I cannot get the 57's to work right.

[1930artdeco]

Ok, they have ECG stamped into them and the adjusters are lock nuts. So I may swap them out. I will see what happens.

[paul2748]

100 % compatibility on the adjusters. The thread on the rockers are the same regardless of the model of the rocker. The interference thread is on the adjuster, not the rocker.

I used a interference adjuster on a lock nut rocker with no problems. Went back to a lock nut adjuster and no problems. There might be a problem with nut clearance on an interference type rocker - not sure of this.

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

Ok, they have ECG stamped into them and the adjusters are lock nuts. So I may swap them out. I will see what happens.