Rocker Covers

[Dave111]

Help!! I am getting conflicting information about rocker covers. I have a 5 litre which was leaking oil from the cast alloy covers so i decided to get roller rockers fitted and new covers at the same time. I ended up putting the chrome 308 stamped covers on. I was assured by the parts supplier that they were suitable for using with the roller rockers. I have since been told that the chrome ones don't have enough clearance for the rollers. I am hearing a tappet sounding noise from the (recently rebuilt) motor. None of the mechanics in my area seem to know what to do with an engine that isn't half computer so my original 5 litre motor confuses and scares them. Does anyone know if the chrome covers are ok or at least the name of a good mechanic who knows his (or her) way around a real motor?

[SL/ENUT]

Like these?

If so, they should fit. These are taller than the normal standard flair rocker covers.

[drewVHSS]

Which brand and model rockers are you running?
Some aftermarket rocker covers still hit where the bracing and baffles are for the pcv vent ports.
Also in a vb-vk commodore, taller rocker covers can also hit on the brake booster (a small tap with a hammer to make a clearance dent can remove that)
An old trick sometimes was to glue two sets of gaskets together to give the clearance required if tall rocker covers wont fit without hiting onto the brake booster.

I run ST2032 roller rockers with tall covers (i've dented them to fit without hitting the booster) but previously i had to use 2 gaskets with my old standard covers, nearly all of them cleared the old covers except where the pcv ports were as there's a baffling plate located in that area.

Make sure the tapping you are hearing is actually the rockers hitting the covers, you can idle your motor with the rocker cover off and not have oil spit everywhere so long as you dont rev it!!!! with covers off and you still have noise, your rockers may be out of adjustment or in my case 3 months after sorting out the cover issue i also had a dud pair in my set with 3mm sideways movement on the pedestal shaft and gave a similar ticking noise but was my pushrod hitting the head.

If you take the time to diagnose and pinpoint where the problem is coming from, your mechanic may be able to do a better job of looking after you, although last mechanic i spoke to about a dizzy problem swore blind holden only ever had points dizzies or fuel injection.... aparantly no such thing as a blue motor electric dizzy.... that had me worried enough to never give him any work!!!!

[mr j-man]

yeah mate run it at idle remove the covers and have a look n listen up close, check all the necessary movements of the rockers and push rods. i soaked my new rods and rocker in fresh oil for 24hrs prior to fitting but thats just a personal thing

[Dave111]

Yep,Those are the ones. I have managed to get hold of the mechanic who actually rebuilt the motor and he has agreed to work on it for me, Thanks everyone for your help,I suspected it was hitting the plate inside the rocker covers and you and the mechanic confirmed it. I had a look and there is a slight mark where it was hitting it.I have the (expensive) cast alloy rocker covers so hopefully that will fix the problem.

[Dave111]

It is frustratingly hard to find a mechanic who knows what he is doing these days!

[pjdm1980]

When I had my first 5.0Ltr in my VH I thought they were called 5.0Ltr's because that's how much oil they leaked, LOL!!!