[DeTomaso] I need some advice from you Fordies

[John Taphorn]

Dave

If you own a MIG, the task is relatively easy.  I removed my guideplate, cut 
it in half with a sawzall.  Then refit the two pieces of the guideplate in 
the head and align them so as the rocker's roller tip are dead center on the 
valve stem tip.  Shielding the rest of the engine from potential weld 
splatter, tack the guideplate with your MIG.  Then remove the guideplate and 
finish your weld safely away from the engine.

I did do mine before the engine was in the car and it certainly made it more 
accessible.  Remember to disconnect your MSD should you be using one.

JT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Londry" <davel at emspace.com>
To: "Will Kooiman" <wkooiman at earthlink.net>
Cc: <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] I need some advice from you Fordies


> Will
> Yes there is a big difference in the centering of #8 intake & exhaust.
> No crack in the guide plate though, they all have that stamping mark
> through the 5 in the part number.
> No metal has come off the roller yet and the mark is in line with the
> edge of the valve stem,
> so I think it will be OK after I get it lined up. Bent pushrod is a
> good thought.
> Anyhow I'll take it off and have a good look. And I'll align them all.
>
> Any warnings beyond "don't drop hard shit down the oil drains"?
>
> Taking off the right cover is harder than I thought.
> It's pinned down by the support on the hard coolant line to the swirl 
> tank.
> Looks like I'm going to have to ask the coolant line to flex a little bit.
>
> Next time it'll seem normal, but it's an adventure this time.
> Hard on the knees too.
>
> thanks for the advice.
> dave
>
> Will Kooiman wrote:
>> Wait a minute.  I just noticed how far #8 intake is off.  #8 exhaust 
>> looks
>> centered.  The guide plate also looks cracked - by the PN.
>>
>> Take it apart and see if anything is broken.
>>
>> It might be as simple as a bent pushrod.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Will Kooiman [mailto:wkooiman at earthlink.net]
>> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 6:26 PM
>> To: 'detomaso at realbig.com'
>> Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] I need some advice from you Fordies
>>
>> It could be as simple as the guide plates being too far to one side.  I
>> spent a lot of time aligning my rockers.  I didn't have to cut/reweld 
>> them.
>>
>> Before you tighten the rocker stud, you can slide the guide plate left 
>> and
>> right (and up/down).  If you slide it to the left, the rocker tips slide 
>> to
>> the right - and vice versa.  You keep fudging with it until they're in 
>> the
>> center for both intake and exhaust.
>>
>> I don't know about the galling.  I'd guess it's due to oiling (lack
>> thereof).  One of the reasons I went with Crane Gold Race rockers is 
>> because
>> of comments I heard about how it handled oiling.  On one engine, I cut 
>> the
>> tops off of an old set of valve covers, and ran the engine.  If you try 
>> it
>> without valve covers, you'll shoot oil like a little oil well.
>>
>> I also spent a lot of time making sure nothing was rubbing or binding. 
>> Most
>> of my intake pushrods were rubbing the guide plate (in the wrong place -
>> they always rub on the edges).
>>
>> If it were me, I'd remove the rocker and inspect it more closely.  If 
>> it's
>> discolored, it probably overheated.  I'd think a little blueing is okay, 
>> but
>> I'm not an expert.  If it has galling, I'd replace it for sure.  A new
>> rocker is cheaper than a new valve.
>>
>> I'd also check the alignment of the rockers - especially #8.  The rollers
>> should be centered on the valve stem.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] 
>> On
>> Behalf Of Larry Finch
>> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 5:29 PM
>> To: detomaso at realbig.com
>> Subject: [DeTomaso] I need some advice from you Fordies
>>
>> Is this the situation where sometimes the roller guides need to be
>> cut, sectioned and welded?
>>
>> I'm book learned, but have no first hand knowledge... ;-)
>>
>> Larry
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