rocker arm to valve stem alignment


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By mikeT - 6 Years Ago
Hi!
While assembling my rocker shafts,  I have noticed that the alignment of some rockers are not centered on the rocker arm pads at the valve stem. 
If I double up on the washers between the rocker arm and the stands I can get a much better alignment on these cylinders.
my cam will have around .500 lift. Is this alignment needed or doesnt it matter?
If it is important where can i buy more washers? the shafts are .781" diameter , so 3/4" machine washers are too small and 7/8" are too loose.
Cant find a way to open the thin washers up to .781"
Thanks! Mike 
By KULTULZ - 6 Years Ago
I have noticed that the alignment of some rockers are not centered on the rocker arm pads at the valve stem. 


Believe it or not, that is the way it was designed. Notice the extra fat rocker arm to stem pad. If it is going to be a HI-RPM engine, there are offset roller rockers available. And if you offset shim the rockers too much, you will lose correct push-rod alignment.


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By Joe-JDC - 6 Years Ago
I have used valve spring shims that fit rocker arm shafts to move the rocker arms to better center them over the stem.  Moved some of the rocker arms with two or three shims, and works quite well.  No issue with push rods.  Increases spring tension, which is a good thing.  Joe-JDC
By mikeT - 6 Years Ago
Thanks! Joe.
Thats exactly what I have found 
I will check to see if I can find valve spring shims?
By blocky - 6 Years Ago
recently shimmed my rocker arms across and all is well 
By MattsY - 6 Years Ago
If you have, have access to or know someone that has a lathe, it's a pretty simple operation to turn a few shims.
By paul2748 - 6 Years Ago
On most stock Y's, the rocker arms were not in perfect alignment with the valve stems.