Rocker Arm Failed. What now?

#41

I’d argue that having to replace a broken part and missing qualifying if you’re in the hunt for points is an issue but I’m probably wrong.

#42

Jim, the devil that you know is perhaps better than the unknown.

I’ll give you the Eric Nissen story on rocker arms from Ireland at the CMP race. James at Bimmerworld has the lowdown should you talk to him before this weekend.

The area on the cam wore out too quick (2 hours) on 3 of the rocker arms.

Regards, Robert Patton

#43

Yeah I heard that as well.

My only point is that the statement “rocker arms never break” is a bunch of sh!t.

#44

IndyJim wrote:

Jim -

I completely agree that we should not have known weaknesses. But we have to be sure the cure does less damage than the disease.

I have a genuine question: Can it be said that rocker arms on properly and frequently adjusted valves running in stock valvetrains very, very, very rarely break?

Steve D.

#45

Fair question I don’t think we have the resources or any empirical data to suggest one way or the other and frankly I don’t care. There are solutions that will solve it regardless and we have been regulated against using them.

#46

Jim -

I don’t have a strong preference either way, but I do see the value in future-proofing the rules a bit. If robust rockers solve a problem that has no other solution, let’s change the spec. If frequent adjustment is necessary and makes the stock part sufficient for the task, great.

Every few $100 bills we stuff into the lump will add up. I think the long-term health of the class depends on us keeping the cost of a no-holds-barred legal motor with all the tricks in the $5k - $7k range.

I don’t think anyone is really wallet racing at this point, but if you wanted to spend $10k and take advantage of every little allowance in the rules…

Steve D.

#47

Right now the rule prohibits you from doing something (I would say smart).

The rule doesn say you ‘have’ to do it. If you don’t mind the risk, don’t want to spend the money, like to adjust your valves by all means go for it.

What if you’re not mechanically inclined, and say it is ‘proven’ that valve adjustment plays a role. Now you have to have a shop check you valves every race, every other? Guesstimate a $100 per. How long before those beefy rockers paid for themselves.

That is just one area of these rules that are penny wise pound foolish.

But again the horse is out of the barn. I’m just playing the ‘I told you so guy’ for all the experts that said these never break and yet carry them in their spares box.