Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on a little issue I am having with one of my rocker arms. I think I know the answer but I figured I'd ask for input anyway before I make a decision and ruin something because my knowledge base about valves isn't my best area.

I have a 468ci BBC with Crower Aluminum Roller Rockers in it with rocker arm lock nuts. It is a complete roller motor and it has a solid roller cam. Since I've had the car, I have never adjusted the valves. I took my time and adjusted all of the valves properly. The rockers do have the lock nuts on them so after I adjusted them, I triple checked each one as I did it and made sure that the rocker arm lock nuts were properly locked.

My issue: My #8 exhaust rocker keeps on coming loose. I've never had this issue before I adjusted the valves. I adjusted everything, took the car for a ride and it sounded and ran better than ever. As I was getting home from my ride I started to hear a noise. I pulled the valve covers and noticed that the #8 exhaust rocker was practically falling off. I checked all the other valves and they were fine. I figured I may have forgotten to lock it down so I adjusted it and locked the rocker down again. I know for a fact this time I locked that rocker arm lock nut. Before doing so I pulled off the rocker and took out the push rod just to verify there was no damage and everything looked perfect. I started the car up and it sounded great again. No unusual or unwanted noises were coming from the motor. I took the car out for a ride again today and as I was nearing the end of my ride, I started to hear the same noise again. I pulled the valve covers again and the #8 exhaust rocker was practically falling off again. I need to solve this issue before I cause some major engine damage. I am guessing that the rocker arm lock nut went bad and keeps backing off on me. Does that sound like a possibility? I was going to buy a nice set of ARP rocker arm lock nuts unless somebody else has some recommendation for me? Thanks for your time!! Its much appreciated!!

 

Is it for certain the nut is backing off? If not, have you checked to make sure the rocker stud isn't pulling out of the head?

 

Ok sorry it took me so long to respond and I appreciate the response. I drove the car around a little bit after readjusting and everything seemed to be fine. As I was on my way home (thank god) I started to hear a noise again when I would touch the gas pedal. At idle there was no noise. I was right next to my house when this began. I pulled into my garage and I pulled the valve covers off. Everything seemed to be fine on the passenger side and the #8 exhaust rocker had not loosened up again. I pulled the driver's side valve cover off next and about 4 to 6 of the valves in a row had loosened up. None of them were falling off though. I personally did not adjust the valves, they were done by someone whom I thought had a pretty good amount of experience with them and was able to follow the instructions given by the tech from Lunati (the car has a Lunati Solid Roller Cam in it with a .612 lift/.320 duration). The Lunati tech recommended that the valves be sete at .026, which that was done. I am wondering if the rocker arm lock nuts could have somehow gone bad? All of them? They don't look like a very good set of them. I ordered an ARP set that is really nice. I'm hoping (actually praying) that nothing happened to my Cam.....

Also no the rocker stud is not pulling out of the head...

Thanks again for the response, I appreciate any and all responses and opinions!!