Valve Lever Misalignment

[arlen]

I got my head back, and can’t help but notice that the some of the valve levers do not engage the valves in the center. When I tore the engine down, I noticed that the surface on the levers were worn unevenly. The valve guy resurfaced them, but of course that doesn’t address the misalignment. Is this common in these engines? Is it a big deal? Looks like custom spacers would have to be made to correct it, unless I’m missing something obvious.

[SamsFarm]

You would think there would be some shims to do that!

Well, I have never heard of valve levers, but I have heard of rocker arms.

[Urbish]

Could it be that your guy reinstalled the rocker arms in the incorrect order? They shouldn't be that misaligned.

[arlen]

Well, I have never heard of valve levers, but I have heard of rocker arms.

Well, you’ve never looked in the parts book then

[arlen]

Could it be that your guy reinstalled the rocker arms in the incorrect order? They shouldn't be that misaligned.

I just looked at the numbers on each part and compared it to the parts book and their positions are correct.

[ricky racer]

I would assume if the engine ran well for 60+ years as it is, it will probably run well another 60 years as is. If they can be shimmied into a better position without interfering with performance, that's probably the best way to fix the alignment as long as it doesn't create another issue with the push rods.

[Gary Dotson]

Yes, it looks like you have substantial misalignment. Measure the diameter of the rocker shaft and check to see if McMaster Carr might have some shims to re-locate the levers a bit. They don't have to be dead center but some of them are not even making full contact.

[ricky racer]

The other possible fix would be to heat up the valve side of the lever and lightly tap it with a hammer to reposition the contact point on the valve stem.

[tst]

shims

[Urbish]

You're reminding me that I should probably pull the valve cover on my B and check my valve clearances. I've never had the valve cover off of it.

[Eugene]

The 3rd valve lifter from each end appears to be off considerably in opposite directions.

Before I did the shims, I would change the lifter locations for a better fit.

[SamsFarm]

Well, I have never heard of valve levers, but I have heard of rocker arms.

Well, you’ve never looked in the parts book then

No, I did not, but before I opened my mouth, I mean, before I typed, I did do a internet search for valve levers, and 99% of the pics came up as ball valves for plumbing! Lol

[arlen]

Well, I have never heard of valve levers, but I have heard of rocker arms.

Well, you’ve never looked in the parts book then

No, I did not, but before I opened my mouth, I mean, before I typed, I did do a internet search for valve levers, and 99% of the pics came up as ball valves for plumbing! Lol

I normally call them rocker arms, but I figured if I did, someone would correct me and say "they are called valve levers in the parts book"

[arlen]

Looking at the rockers, and the parts book, the pair on the left marked with the arrows, is the same part numbers as the pair on the right.
notice that the pair on the left is too far to the left, and the pair on the right is too far to the right.
I'm thinking if I switch them around, it might correct the problem.
They do look slightly bent looking from the top down. I'm wondering if they were hand fit at the factory???
Then one of the probably several valve jobs it got in its life if maybe they were mixed up...even though the part numbers all match.
Those 4 are really the only ones that seem kinda bad.
I'm gonna try when I get home tonite and I will report back.
Otherwise, I'm liking the idea of slightly reforming them. Those 4 are the only ones that don't have a rigidity rib along its length, so bending them looks pretty easy.

[arlen]

The 3rd valve lifter from each end appears to be off considerably in opposite directions.

Before I did the shims, I would change the lifter locations for a better fit.

Thank You!
I didn't see this until just now, but yes, I agree. See my post above