[Guy Hiltz]

Yesterday I took my valve covers off to check valve lash on my solid roller equipped big block,all looked OK until I noticed that one of my Comp Cams Hi Tech S/S roller rockers was wearing on the tip where the roller is.The roller itself has actually worn at least halfway through the stainless tip where the roller and axle are pressed in,but the wear is only on one side of the tip..I dont want to go to far like that,dont want a tow truck this summer!I am planning a road trip next weekend to the Atlantic Nationals in Moncton New Brunswick and wont be able to get any replacement parts that soon,but I can get the lend of a set of roller rockers although they would be a bit different ratio,1.7 and mine are 1.73.Would it be OK to change just the one rocker and drive it like that?Has anyone else had a similar problem?The valvetrain geometry looks to be OK,and these rockers only have a couple of summers use on them,no more than 15,000 miles at the very most,all the rest of the valvetrain is a matched set.Thanks

[machine shop tom]

Look closley at the valve tip. If there is any uenven wear or it the valve seems looser in the guide than the others, you may have to pull the head to fix it. If the valve end and the guide check out okay, put on a new rocker.

tom

[xntrik]

Like TOM said, definitely search for the cause.

You can replace just the one rocker with the other kind and you will never know the difference IF the geometry checks OK. Work a lot of oil or assembly lube into the rocker pivots before installing.

I would bring some spares with you in case you have to change some others on the side of the road.

"solid roller equipped big block" =
Remember radical cams with high pressure springs are hard on valve train components. Lots of hot rods are only good for 20,000 miles on the street before a complete replacement is needed. You might be one of those situations.

I have seen "street driven race cars" that even required new valve guides at 6,000 miles as well as complete valve train replacement. If ya gotta play, ya gotta pay.