Rocker Shaft Question
 

Trying to clarify something in Wayne's book where it says it's critical to keep the rocker shafts with their rocker arms. I understand keeping them together but how far does this need to be taken? Do I need to keep them in the same axial(?) position, i.e. does the same side need to be facing down after I re install them? I assume the wear patterns will be uneven since the rocker shaft doesn't move...correct? I thought I'd read that some have rotated them to have different sections in contact with the inside of the rocker arm.
Does this make sense?

I rotate the shafts so a new (unworn) side is exposed to the working side of the shaft. The working side is the "inside". This is where the pressure is on the shaft from the valve spring. I doubt that it's critical to use the same shaft on each rocker but I do it anyway. It's much more important to keep the rocker arms in the same order they came out so they have the same cam lobe to work on. Of course if you have the rocker arms resurfaced then this doesn't matter.

-Andy

Andy, thanks for the info and that makes sense.
One more question, if I may, in reading Wayne's rebuild book he talks about suggestions on which side the 5mm bolt goes vs. the 8mm cone nut when re installing the rocker arms/shafts. If I understand him, it really doesn't matter, from a mechanical standpoint, they can just go in whichever way is most convenient for removal/installation...correct?
Sorry if I'm over analyzing this...

You are correct it doesn't matter. The orientation for removal and replacement is important however. You don't want to end up with a shaft that is leaking and you can't remove it. Just look at where you have room to pull the bolt out and where you have room to get the allen wrenches. I cut an allen wrench shorter to help with removal of some shafts.

-Andy

The advise about using the freezer bags in the book is on target too. They can break the sandwich bags, trust me I know.