Advice on removing rocker arm shaft?

[DoubleSidedTape]

Getting ready to install new cams and followers. I didn’t have much of an issue getting the intake rocker shaft off, once I could slide it a little I was able to slide it back and forth and it came right out.

The exhaust shaft is being much more stubborn. I can turn it either direction pretty freely using the oil valve hex nut, but I can’t move it forward or backward at all. I pulled the plug off of the back of the head but I’m not sure how to effectively push on the shaft to get it to come out. Doing this with the engine in the car.

Any advice?

[sapote]

The EX rod is different than the IN rod, that it has to be indexed with a screw for the oil holes to line up. EX rod carries oil and IN rod does not.

[sapote]

I can turn it either direction pretty freely using the oil valve hex nut, but I can’t move it forward or backward at all.

If the rod can turn around 360 freely, then maybe just some high spots that hold it back. So lock down the rod again, then replace the hex nut end cap with a bolt and use it to pull the rod forward.

Make sure when installed, the EX rod has the cap hex plug and not the IN rod, otherwise engine has no oil for the cams bearings and lobes.

[DoubleSidedTape]

If the rod can turn around 360 freely, then maybe just some high spots that hold it back. So lock down the rod again, then replace the hex nut end cap with a bolt and use it to pull the rod forward.

I found an M10x1.0 by 60mm bolt. I tried pulling with a 90 degree needle nose pliers... I think I could pull the car from there if I didn't have the parking brake on.


I figure the next option would be to attach some kind of slide hammer to the bolt?

[Slideways]

I found an M10x1.0 by 60mm bolt. I tried pulling with a 90 degree needle nose pliers... I think I could pull the car from there if I didn't have the parking brake on.


I figure the next option would be to attach some kind of slide hammer to the bolt?

Can you rotate the rocker arm to get it loose/started?

[DoubleSidedTape]

Can you rotate the rocker arm to get it loose/started?

The rocker arms move freely on the shaft, and I am able to rote the shaft with the bolt as I could with the plug that was there before, but I can’t get the shaft to move front to back.

[Slideways]

The rocker arms move freely on the shaft, and I am able to rote the shaft with the bolt as I could with the plug that was there before, but I can’t get the shaft to move front to back.

Ah, yeah mistyped that (rocker arm shaft) in the previous post. It sounds like your second option might be the way to go.

[sapote]

I can turn it either direction pretty freely using the oil valve hex nut, but I can’t move it forward or backward at all

Maybe previous mechanic had marred up the shaft slot where the 5mm hex setscrew slides through. This could happen if the shaft slot wasn't line up perfectly and the setscrew was forced into the misaligned slot.
So try to rotate the shaft while pushing/pulling to make small increment axially. Once the shaft slot has passed through a cam bearing block, check the slot and gently file the marred area smooth before pulling the shaft through more bearing blocks.
Don't try to use the slide hammer as this may strip the shaft female threads. Steady pull is safe but hammering is risky.

[DoubleSidedTape]

A 2lb slide hammer from harbor freight ended up being what did the trick. I was able to move it a couple inches by pulling on the bolt but it wouldn’t budge past that.

[sapote]

A 2lb slide hammer from harbor freight ended up being what did the trick. I was able to move it a couple inches by pulling on the bolt but it wouldn’t budge past that.

The 2 rocker shafts seem to be not from one engine. The EX has 6 sections of unvarnished (covered by the cam bearing blocks) while the IN looks total dark. why? Have you found the reason why it was so hard to pull out?

[DoubleSidedTape]

The 2 rocker shafts seem to be not from one engine. The EX has 6 sections of unvarnished (covered by the cam bearing blocks) while the IN looks total dark. why? Have you found the reason why it was so hard to pull out?

I don’t know. I rotated the EX shaft a whole bunch in the process of getting it out. They both went back in super easily though.

[Cubieman]

What cams are you installing?

[DoubleSidedTape]

What cams are you installing?

Schrick 288/280

[Cubieman]

Schrick 288/280

Nice, jealous