Loss Rocker Arms

[68camaro396]

Hey guys whats up?
Well the problem has started up again. One of my rocker arms keeps shaking loose. I have replaced the nut b4 and it has been fine for quite sometime. It is really loud and annoying, not to mention I am losing power in that cylinder. What do you guys think.

?Locktite?

Thanks

[CAMAROBOY69]

Are they screw in rocker studs? Possibly get a new nut and if that doesnt work put super silicone on the nut. It will never come loose again.

[68camaro396]

yeah they are screw in studs. it is probably just shaking loose from engine harmonics right?

[CAMAROBOY69]

I am not an engine specialist but I know it shouldnt be coming loos that quick. And when I say quick I mean it should take a year or 2 for them to even loosen a little bit. If it is only one then I would just put some silicone on it. Do you have hydrolic or solid lifters? Thats about all I can help with at this point but it will get the ball rolling for other members. They might want to know more engine specs too. Good luck at least it is something minor. Do you know how to adjust your rockers? I had to do mine recently after reinstalling my head and its quite easy.

[dennis68]

Something is wrong...are you using rocker arm nuts or just regular nuts? The rocker nuts should not back off ever. Make sure your studs are not backing out of the head. Maybe it's time to invest in some lock nuts.

[Travis B]

Now is it the nut or the stud

[68camaro396]

Hey guys, It is the nut...I believe I have Hydraulic lifters, so I have been setting them at zero lash, or until the noise stops and then like a 1/4 turn more. I have previously purchased rocker nuts due to this problem....not for all rockers though, so I am not 100 % sure I have replaced this one b4. I am going to try to fix it when I get home tonight...Would High Temp RTV silicone be good enough?

[68camaro396]

Hey guys, It is the nut...I believe I have Hydraulic lifters, so I have been setting them at zero lash, or until the noise stops and then like a 1/4 turn more. I have previously purchased rocker nuts due to this problem....not for all rockers though, so I am not 100 % sure I have replaced this one b4. I am going to try to fix it when I get home tonight...Would High Temp RTV silicone be good enough?

[CAMAROBOY69]

Try the silicone until you get a new nut. The nut is only around $1.00 mabey $2.00.

[68camaro396]

Well, afterwork yesterday, I took off the valve cover and re-tightened it in the parking lot. Then on the way home, it shook loose again. I went to a local parts store and the guy said I need to see one to match it...I didn't feel like opening it up again, while it was still hot and taking it out, so I just bought some lock-tite and put some on the threads (which when I looked, aren't in the best shape) I did this while the engine was cool. I tightened it down again and left it overnight.

This morning, I drove it very easy to work, being careful not to take it into the higher RPM's (just in case) .....well it held up so far. Nice and quiet. Hopefully it will last a little while, until I can get a handfull of nuts.

The parts store where I go, I think sells them for like 60 cents a piece...they are very cheap. Not in quality though...at least I don't think so.

[CAMAROBOY69]

so I just bought some lock-tite and put some on the threads (which when I looked, aren't in the best shape) I did this while the engine was cool. I tightened it down again and left it overnight.

The threads on the nut look bad or the threads on the screw in rocker studs look bad? Either way if the threads are bad you cant depend on the lock tite in case the nut pushes right off the stud.

[68camaro396]

No they aren't that bad yet...the threads on the nut are not very good....i didn't really get a good look at the stud. I'll check it this weekend

[paul67]

loctite can disolve under heat can you fit another nut on top, if not try using 2 loc nuts they are thinner than normal nuts tighten first nut down to were you need it then lock 2nd nut on top, the 2 together should be no more thinker than 1 normal nut.
paul67

[68camaro396]

well, i got the red locktite, it said it is for rocker arms, and some other things....and the temp. rating was 500 deg. max. now if my engine ever got that hot, then i am sure it would be glowing red and almost molten. :)