I'm in the process of breaking in my engine so I thought I should check/reset my valve lash. So I took the valve cover off and noticed that one of the pushrods was about an inch away from the rocker tip and the rocker was tight. So I throw on the rocker oil stoppers and crank the engine over to see if the cam lobe is flat. No, the pushrod goes up and down. Then I take a closer look and notice that I can't get a socket on the rocker nut because the rocker is bent. So I look even closer and see that the rocker nut is sticking out the side of the rocker and the pivot ball looks like it was stretched out, unless the bottom of the rocker was stretched out. Anyone have any ideas why this could have happened and how I can get the rocker nut off?

Also my front seal is leaking on my engine. Is that replaceable with the engine in the car? I tried to put some black RTV around the outside of the seal but that didn't work.

Thanks

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432

1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO

1948 Chrysler Windsor
Flathead 6/Semi-Auto
4 Speed Column Shift
Fluid Drive Transmission

"Both Undergoing Slow Restorations"

Here's some pictures of the rocker:

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/malibu_man/IM001132.jpg

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/malibu_man/IM001134.jpg

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/malibu_man/IM001137.jpg

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432

1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO

1948 Chrysler Windsor
Flathead 6/Semi-Auto
4 Speed Column Shift
Fluid Drive Transmission

"Both Undergoing Slow Restorations"

Ah front seal links-the curse of the chevy! No, have to take it off to really fix it, sorry.

As to the rocker, couple of thoughts. How much lift is your cam? Could you be running into coil bind? Other thought since it's only 1 acting up-could you have reassembled them wrong and had the curved side of the "washer", whatever it's called, below the nut, facing down?? You'll need to verify your spring travel and that it's not binding. Good luck.

After looking at your top picture, I think the washer thingy was upside down. Looks like the rounded edge is facing up-bet that was your problem!
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Sid Coleman, 71 Ragtop
TC (Gold) #174, MCC #347,
Aces #5457, N3JHV@bellatlantic.net

[This message has been edited by Sid Coleman (edited 01-20-2003).]

You could be right. The cam is a Comp Cams 292H with .501" lift. It's hard to tell the way the pivot ball is in there.

So I am going to have to pull the engine to replace the seal?

Thanks

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432

1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO

1948 Chrysler Windsor
Flathead 6/Semi-Auto
4 Speed Column Shift
Fluid Drive Transmission

"Both Undergoing Slow Restorations"

Is it the front seal on the crank or the front seal on the pan?

You shouldn't have to pull the engine to replace either one.

If it's the front seal between the harmonic balancer and the timing chain cover, you may be able to just remove the balancer and put in a new seal, just need to be careful to not bend the timing chain cover. Regardless if you pull it or not, verify your harmonic balancer does not have a groove worn where the seal would hit. If it does, I've heard of shimming the new seal in the timing cover to move it forward over the groove to seal properly.

If it's the timing chain to oil pan cover, it can be done with the engine in the car. You'll have to loosen the oil pan and drop it about 1/4" or so to get the timing chain cover on & off without bending things. That's one area where I use permatex quite liberally!!! Good luck!!

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Sid Coleman, 71 Ragtop
TC (Gold) #174, MCC #347,
Aces #5457, N3JHV@bellatlantic.net

[This message has been edited by Sid Coleman (edited 01-21-2003).]

It's the oil pan to timing cover seal. I'll probably do that then, doesn't sound too hard. I've got a cheap chrome cover, that's probably why.

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Trever Maas
TC Member #: 1432

1972 Chevelle Malibu
Mohave Gold
L65 350/M38 TH350
2.73 AXL RATIO

1948 Chrysler Windsor
Flathead 6/Semi-Auto
4 Speed Column Shift
Fluid Drive Transmission

"Both Undergoing Slow Restorations"