I just pulled the valve cover off my 71 Duster 225 to adjust the valves and noticed that some of the rocker arms have side to side movement on the rocker shaft, while others do not. Is this normal or does there need to be some sort of spacer to take up the slack?

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"You know a car is really yours when you've touched every fastener on it." -David Freiburger

I believe all rockers should have a little play. The ones you have with no play, I bet those valves are open aren't they.?

You know what...I didn't think of that.

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"You know a car is really yours when you've touched every fastener on it." -David Freiburger

i bought a set of shims for a SB mopar...

mine were kinda loose so i used the shims to take up the slop and also keep the tips of the rockers on the valves...

you want some clearance or they will bind up...

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1965 Plymouth A/FX 512ci (under construction)
1968 Dodge Dart SL6 14.25 @ 91.5 1.91 60'
1973 Dodge Dart SL6 Stock
Killer Bee's Member Since 09'
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/sho ... p?t=128702
http://www.youtube.com/user/805moparkid

It is normal to see some side-to-side clearance.
Check to see if the rocker is centered over the valve stem tip and adjust if needed. Selecting longer / shorter "hold down" washers will usually get them centered over the valve stem tip.
DD

You know, in performance vw engines with aftermarket 1.4 rockers, its good practice to offset the rocker pad compared to the valve stem slightly, which helps rotate the valve. Do you think that does not apply to a slant?

that sounds like a great way to put a bunch of side load on the stem/guide...

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1965 Plymouth A/FX 512ci (under construction)
1968 Dodge Dart SL6 14.25 @ 91.5 1.91 60'
1973 Dodge Dart SL6 Stock
Killer Bee's Member Since 09'
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/sho ... p?t=128702
http://www.youtube.com/user/805moparkid

Looking at the slant valve train, every rocker is placed straight above the valve, in vws they sit at an angle. Sorry don't pay attention to me

I just adjusted my valves this weekend and I too have quite a bit of movement in my rocker arms on the shaft, like an eighth of an inch or more side to side on some cylinders. At one point on the #3 cylinder, the exhaust valve pushrod moved enough to wear a mark on the side of the plug tube.

Where do you find the different sized mounting washers you have in your photo and what other engines rocker arm spacers will fit a slant valve train? A big block maybe since the slant shares a few things with the big block design?

I would be happy to be educated on this one too.

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'68signet

"Living analog in the digital age."

I get spacers from other SL6 engines, the size seemed to change thru-out the years or manufacturing lots.
Also note that the center spacer is longer so it can be ground down to a special size, if needed.
DD

Thanks for the washer info Doc, I will have to find some extra washers for my slant. Also as mentioned earlier in the tread, would rocker arm spacers for a small block Mopar engine work on a slant six rocker shaft? Are the rocker shafts the same size in diameter? That may be the ticket if they are.

Ya know......maybe I didn't put them back on correctly when I had it apart. I will check that first!

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'68signet

"Living analog in the digital age."

The rocker shaft's seperator "rings", that sit between the rocker arms are all the same size on a SL6 but tinner on the Mopar V-8 engines so I don't find those useful.
As noted, there are some V-8 shim kits out there that can be used.
(Summit/Harland Sharp # SP047K Spacers, Rocker Arm Shaft, .047 in. Thick, Chrysler, Small Block, Set of 4)

Or grind / cut the rings as needed and stack two of them between the rocker arms.
Me... I just bend them "off-set" at the seam, to make them wider.
DD

As I was viewing the pictures you posted I did see the last photo where you are implying the bushings be bent with a hammer. I am too slow in my older age and once I took the cover off and saw the whole kit and kaboodle, was going to try and bend them more offset at the seams first. If that didn't work I would try some new spacers. Hence my light bulb moment and your photo now.

Good to know that you have bent them and made them work. I've got two offending parties over an eighth of an inch out of whack at #3 and #6 cylinders. Thanks for the tip Doc, much appreciated!

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'68signet

"Living analog in the digital age."