ROCKER AR Replacement

[Argeo]

I believe the intake valve on my #3 cylinder is loose. I have some noise coming from # 3 and I tried adjusting the valve. The rocker has a looser feel than the other arms. How difficult is one to replace? Does the motor have to be pulled>? Whaqt tools are necessary and what would I need to order?

Thanks.

[Halm]

I watched a wrench at Otto's change one on my car. Took less than 30 minutes after he started. No engine drop, just put it on a lift and drained the oil. There may be a specal tool that makes it easier, but I don't think it is required. Also, do a search on rocker arms. There is an "O" ring you can put between the 2 halfs of the arm that is highly recommended. Pelican sells them, I think.

[82SC]

an exhaust would be easier to change, but I think an intake can be done as well

the rocker shaft is held in place by a pinch bolt, the bolt has a 8mm and a 5mm allen holes on the ends, the 8 is a nut and the 5 is a bolt

you'll need the L-shaped allen keys for this

you just take the bolt out and push the shaft out one end...it may take some effort...then the rocker should come off

you might just want to tighten it first to see if it is just loose...BUT if the shaft were loose, I don't think it would make the rocker feel "loose" that sounds like the bearing on the rocker arm is worn...

Don't listen to me on diagnosis since don't have much expertise in that...but the procedure to pull your rockers...I've done that...

if it is an intake rocker i'd be careful not to drop anything into the heads since it will be a pain in the a$$ to fish around in all the nooks and crannies with the engine still in the car...

there are o-rings that go in the slots on the rocker shaft...I don't know if it is worth it to do it on just one shaft...especially if you are not seeing any signs of rocker arm leakage...

if the shaft of the rocker arm bearing is worm you can prob get a good used shaft or just use new parts...

good luck and let us know how it turns out

MJ

[marcesq]

On the RSR seals . . . it just depends on how far you want to go. It will be difficult getting to some of the rocker hardware, but not impossible while the engine is in the car.

If given the opportunity, I would do it. Just insurance, nothing more, nothing less. Installing the seals does give you an opportunity to retighten the shaft hardware so nothing bad happens in the future. I was very lucky that I pulled my engine when I did as one of the shafts was 1/4" out of the journal.

FWIW

[82SC]

just to clarify I did RSR seals on all of my rockers when I swaped out my cams...

just thought it would be less desirable since it is just one rocker...

MJ

[marcesq]

I'm with you MJ . . . . if he's not leaking than why open that can of worms now . . . not sure what Argeo is driving, but the engine will come out at some point and he can tend to it then.

Cheers

[Argeo]

Thanks for your help guys. I will try just tightening first and see what happens. The engine seems to run fine, no smoke coming out the exhaust. It just makes a small ticking noise. I will probably take out engine in fall. Do you think I can wait until then? By that time I will probably rack up less than 2,000 miles (no time). I don't track or typically drive fast. Well Ok, if the road is clear I might rev it a bit but never for a long stretch. I can cut that out if that will buy me more time.

Oh, the car is a 77 3.0 Carrera (ROW). How many hours would you say for a mechanic?

Thanks, all advice appreciated.

[Argeo]

Hello again, is this loose rocker arm a must fix immediately or can I hold off a bit and continue to drive. Any guesses that if I was going to sell how much I should deduct off the price for a loose rocker arm?

Thanks.

[marcesq]

If it is a loose rocker arm, I wouldn't drive it a mile. In fact I would even start it until you are sure that the problem is elsewhere.

The rocker arm fix is easy . . . no real reason to discount much. Bad rocker arm journel means new cam tower . . . now your talking some money.

[Argeo]

Well, that's not good. Will $2 grand cover the worse case scenario cause maybe I will just take that off the price and call it a day.

Thanks.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Argeo
Well, that's not good. Will $2 grand cover the worse case scenario cause maybe I will just take that off the price and call it a day.

Thanks.

Let's not get carried away here. (Don't go selling your car!) Valves make a ticking noise and but exhaust can make a ticking noise too. What you need is an knowledgeable ear to listen to your motor.
-Chris

[Argeo]

Hey Chris, I know the tick is coming from three by using a stethoscope. Also, by just listening you can hear the tick on the left side of the motor and the adjuster felt looser than the other valves. Mark had said the same thing. The valve gap is not loose, I readjusted three times and still getting that noise (tick, tick ,tick). I am not sure if it is the rocker arm or the adjusting bolt but that just screws into the rocker arm so I bet the rocker arm is loose.

I know these cars are not investments but I would like to get some reward from it, it is always something. I haven't even really gotten to enjoy the new tranny you helped me fix (ok, I just watched but I bought the pizza). I have probably driven it maybe a month's tops in the 2 1/2 years I have owned. I will try tightening the two allen bolts and see what happens. I believe this car had a top end rebuild like 25K miles ago. Not sure what it means but I was told so.

Anyways, talk to you soon.

[ChrisBennet]

You can replace a rocker arm and shaft pretty easy. You'll need to cut off an 8mm allen wrench but other than that you don't need any special tools.
-Chris

[Argeo]

Hey Chris, I just noticed that cartoon you have next to your name looks just like you. Maybe we'll see you on Rug Rats as a special guest Porsche kid. I'll have my daughter look out for you.

I'll do some pricing and find out what it is going to run me for those pieces you mentioned. I just have a gut feeling that the job should be small but will turn big when something goes wrong. I guess it is the pessimist in me.

Thanks for helping me to feel better though.

[ChrisBennet]

You need to get on some mood elevators man!
-Chris

[Argeo]

Heck, I need a lot of things. Admitting it is the first step.