Rocker Arms TE20

Langus · Apr 14, 2015

My chance to show my rookie knowledge on the TE 20 motor...
1) While checking everything over on our TE20 and getting ready to fire it up, we realized that it looks like one of the rockers doesn't have an oiler on it? All of the other ones either have a small hole in the top or bottom or both. What am I not understanding here? 2 or 3 of them have pass through holes top to bottom and some are only top or bottom holes.
2) We cranked the motor a little to see if we can build oil pressure and we do but I don't want to continue to crank it over until oil reaches the rocker arm. What do you guys use to pump oil to the top of the motor? I want to verify oil flow to the rockers before we officially fire it up.
Thanks for the help!

Bruce(OR) · Apr 14, 2015

Verifying oil flow before firing generally wipes the lube off the bearings and cylinder walls. I find myself in a similair predicament with a bit newer engine. My problem being one of a rear main rope seal being overly tight. I will find myself installing the starter and cranking the engine over prior to installation to ensure sufficient rotational speed to make it start and run. While I contimplate the lube being removed for the initial firing.

Steve@Advance · Apr 15, 2015

With any new start-up, you want to get it running ASAP, and bring the RPM up (on a governed engine, full throttle is acceptable) to get everything oiling properly.

I oil the rockers with an oil can first. The oil to the shaft is usually metered, not full flow, so it may take a while to get all of them oiling. Start it up with the rocker cover off, or just sitting there so you can peek in and check it. You'll want to recheck the valve clearance after it's run anyway, then once you see all of them oiling, install the cover.

I'm not specifically familiar with the TE engine, possibly some of the rockers have been replaced? Different year or aftermarket? If they have been apart though, it's critical they go back in the proper order.

Duner Wi · Apr 15, 2015

Did you happen to notice what the bearings for the rocker arms were made of?
I have notice the holes,lack of holes, holes welded shut.

Langus · Apr 15, 2015

To be honest, I did not notice what they are made of. It has been running this way for atleast 30 years since my great grandfather overhauled the engine. Maybe it isn't a big deal but I wanted to run it by everybody before we commited to starting this thing up.

Langus · Apr 15, 2015

I struggled with the idea of cranking to verify oil at top of motor. All in all it hasn't cranked for more than 15 seconds in about 5 attempts. We have oil pressure on gauge so I think we need to go for it! I would hate to damage the newly built motor just because of being too cautious! Time to put on the big boy pants...

Langus · Apr 15, 2015

The rocker shaft was never fully taken apart during rebuild. Also, we verified that the oil ports all line up from the block all the way through to the rockers. I think I will shoot a little oil on the rockers and fire it up. I also have a phone call into a friend that has a hand oil pump that supposedly screws into the oil pressure gauge line to pre oil for start up. Would prefer to go that route I believe. Thanks for your thoughts!

hayhay5757 · Apr 16, 2015

(quoted from post at 16:36:53 04/15/15) The rocker shaft was never fully taken apart during rebuild. Also, we verified that the oil ports all line up from the block all the way through to the rockers. I think I will shoot a little oil on the rockers and fire it up. I also have a phone call into a friend that has a hand oil pump that supposedly screws into the oil pressure gauge line to pre oil for start up. Would prefer to go that route I believe. Thanks for your thoughts!

perlube the entire engine / do by removing oil psi line from block fit a lenth of fuel line hose to it the other end to a cap of a quart oil can epoxy to cap fit to can cut bottom out hang from shop ceiling fill with oil let drain into system /put oil psi line on and/ starter up

Duner Wi · Apr 17, 2015

Bearing material really does not matter, just curious.
VAC Case uses same rockers but with different bearing material. Rocker shaft on Case is different length and stands are different height but rockers seem to be the same except for maybe oil supply holes. Fergy rocker oil supply holes seem to vary too as you have noticed.
I don't know what was used when.
If it were mine and I wanted to see oil before starting I would
remove spark plugs, remove rocker arm assembly and crank with starter
till oil comes up the oil supply hole. Next I would dis assemble the rocker
arms from shaft and clean and blow air thru the holes to make sure oil supply holes
are not plugged. I have rocker arms with hole in top of bushing and some oil holes are 90 degrees from top or bottom. My TO 20 does not have very much oil at the rockers but it does have some. Good luck!

Langus · Apr 17, 2015

Thanks for the reply. I am starting to think I wont have much oil up there either. When we rebuilt the motor and took the valve cover off, there wasn't a lot of oil sitting around. It was oiled just not a lot. Sounds like we will be ok with the set up we have. It has been that way for at least 30 years that I know and still ran good the day we tore it down. Smoked a little too much but ran good non the less. Thanks for the input!

Rocker Arms TE20

Langus

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Bruce(OR)

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Steve@Advance

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Duner Wi

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Langus

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Langus

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Langus

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hayhay5757

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Duner Wi

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Langus

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