the shaft came yesterday and I got it installed. It is a Melling brand shaft, made is USA according to the sticker. It did have the end plugs installed. I changed it because the worn shaft and rockers was allowing most of the oil to leave the shaft at the rockers around the stand where the oil comes in, causing flooding of the center of the head.

Just to complicate things, in a recent article in Y-Blk Magazine, Jerry Christenson says he has found new rocker shafts with machining debris inside!
So, I guess it's not a bad idea to have spare plugs on hand... 


Paul

Look on ebay for the plugs - Shafts are shown too. 



54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

These Shafts are another Y Block Item that is available by simply ordering. I remember not too many Years ago you had to hunt around for NOS Ones.And they were not Cheap when You were able to find them.

  

I have the shaft on the way from Rock Auto. I had no way of knowing if they already have the plugs and, as inexpensive as they are, was going to have them on hand just in case they didn't. I can't find them in stock anywhere in our capital city. The shaft is to be here tomorrow per USPS tracking, so I'll just wait and see. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!

Hi, I bought a box from Rock Auto, they work fine, the new shafts should have plugs already

Well, that cinches it. .536" it is. Thanks to Cliff and KULTULZ!

FORD PN- EAA 6572-A

.536"

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Someone, I think Charlie, posted instructions on crimping the end of the tubes down to pressurize the rockers and still have a little oil flow thru. Someone else had a post of tapping the tube and drilling a small hole. A search might find it, but I don’t ever seem to be able to find what I’m looking for on the search function. I think Mummert drills and taps a set screw, and drills a small drain hole, but that’s more a guess. Too many years since I discussed that with him.

I can tell you from experience that if you let the valve cover gasket slip that in a couple minutes oil will build up and pour over the exhaust. Causes a great deal of smoke and scares you to death.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Thank you Cliff. I looked in Rock Auto and found them as Dorman 555-007 and .547" outer diameter. Looking at my old shaft, it measures .525" at the end and appears to have a shoulder to a smaller diameter about 1/2" down. I've ordered a new shaft and don't know if it comes with plugs or not. I just want to have all the parts when it gets here.

Dorman has a 555-006 that is .508" outer. I might get both hoping one will fit. 
Thanks again
Gene