Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 17:04:45 -0700
Reply-To: steve@SYNCRO.ORG
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Schwenk <steve@SYNCRO.ORG>
Subject: Ratio Rocker Installation Issues
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A bunch of people have gotten ratio rockers over the
last few years and i have yet to see any in depth
discussion of proper installation of the rockers. I
raise the issue now because i am about to install 1.25
rockers and because i received a disturbing e-mail
regarding the pre-cut push rods i obtained for several
people in a recent group purchase of 1.4 rockers.
I have been told by at least C.B. performance and Fast
German Auto that it is fine to use the stock pushrods
with 1.25 rockers. Would custom cut pushrods be
better, or would they be a waste of money with 1.25
rockers? See the e-mail below for why i ask.
Everyone agrees that custom cut pushrods are needed for
the 1.4 rockers. But what is the proper method for
measuring? See the e-mail below for one proposed
method. Is there an accepted method that results in
proper set up and full performance without premature
wear?
And if a proper measurement is obtained for one
wasserboxer, would that measurement be good for all
other WBXers with the exact same set up?
Finally, what about actually installing the pushrods
and proper alignment? Is Bentley good enough on this?
I have gotten conflicting info on these questions, even
from the same shop. Some of these issue were raised by
the e-mail copied below, which has been redacted and
edited somewhat to protect the innocent! There are a
lot of people out there who could likely benefit from
this info (including me!), so any contribution is
appreciated.
Steve
_____________________________________________________________________
He measured the push rods and found them all to be bent
by at least 5 thousandths and as much as 25
thousandths. I would caution anyone that installs the
push rods supplied. We have confirmed a 99% chance
that they will cause improper vale train alignment.
This will negate much of the performance of the rockers
and can lead to side loads on the valves and valve
guides including wear on the rockers themselves. The
conclusion now is that the rods are too short. This
will error on the side of less valve travel and may
prevent problems with piston clearance, but will lead
to the premature wear.
If what we believe and hear to be true, the push rods
will work for awhile and you will be driving a time
bomb. With the 1.25 to 1 rockers, there is less danger
of clearance problems, but then again, proper length
and alignment is critical for long life.
To do the alignment, we have to replace the lifters
with solid lifters by destroying at least 4 push rod
tubes, replacing the stock valve springs with soft ones
and then do all the clearance measurement and spring
compression measurements of the inner and outer springs
before
determining the right push rod length, This has to be
done on at least cylinders and preferably on all of
them. A MUCH easier and precise job with the engine
out of the van.
______________________________________
