Thread: rocker stud problem

Tweet

Hi, I have a 73 nova with a 350 from a 69 camaro and 2.02 heads on it form a vette. while pulling out of the drive way I noticed a tapping while trying to listen for it I noticed it suddenly stopped. I then realized that a rocker arm had probly fallen off. after investigating that turned out to be(judging by where the oil mark stopped) the case. while trying to fix the problem i noticed that the stud the rocker was on is about 1/2 inch higher then it should be and when I went to tighten the rocker nut the whole stud turns. I dont know if they are push in style studs, How can I tell if they are and what can I do to fix this problem???

Yep! They are pressed in studs, and yep, ya' pulled one.

There are a couple of fixes for the problem, but the best one (IMO) is to take the heads to a good machine shop and have them install a set of screw in studs.

The other solutions are

1) Just press in a new stud - they make studs slightly oversized just for this purpose - this is the least desirable, durable, and effective way to fix it, because it may just pull back out, again.

2) Have the studs "pinned" - this is where there is a small hole drilled throught the stud boss and the stud, and a roll pin installed to keep the stud from pulling out. It is more difficult to replace a broken stud with this procedure.

The work can be done on the engine in the car, but (again, IMO), it is much safer for the longevity of the engine, to take the heads off and do the work on the bench. This eliminates the potential for getting machining detritus in your engine, and then eating a bearing, or cam, or other such stuff - crunchy stuff in the motor is not good. As an added benefit, if your heads need it, you can get the valves redone, at the same time.

thanks alot guys I just started takin down the engine, im just going to take it in to get it converted to screw ins. thanks for all your help