Re: Resurfacing V8 Rocker Arm Pads

Posted by BH On 2007/6/3 11:03:41

Keith -

Perhaps I can shed some light on the timeline and what was actaully done in this regard.

STB 55T-16 (dated March 28, 1955) advised of the elimination of said holes and provided instructions for plugging rocker shafts in the field. The reason for this was not made clear, but that info was again referenced in STB 55T-19 (dated May 23, 1955) concerning excessive oil consumption.

Then, STB 55T-35 (dated July 25, 1955) advised reinstatement of said holes, but with slightly smaller diameter, and recommended replacement of rocker shafts, inlcuding any that had been plugged, in the field.

There must have been some concern for excessive flow of oil, but they realized plugging those holes was an overcorrection.

However, premature wear at pushrod end of the rocker levers was never addressed in an STB, but in a confidential memo to Zone offices dated March 15, 1956. The cause was cited as an inconsistent hardening process, but new equipment and checks for production had been introduced. A new P/N was issued for rechecked and qualified parts.

Somewhere, I have a Parts Bulletin that requested dealers to return all old stock of said levers and reorder under the new number.