So I loaned my '87 (22R, Enbldr Street Head/cam, Weber, Offenhauser, Pacesetter) to my older son, who overheated the hell out of it somehow and warped the head. Had it checked, no cracks. Resurfaced and back on the engine. While tightening the head bolt on the intake side forward of #1 (first round of torquing to 25ftlbs) I hear a "chink" and notice that the end cap (?) of the assembly has cracked.

I have been over and over it in my head and cannot think of or find anything that was done wrong. The only thing I CAN come up with is that maybe it had already cracked when the head warped (gasket fouled between 1 and 2, and #1 water/rust) and I didnt notice. Anyone know anything?

That one piece could be replaced if I could get a part number for it but just cant seem to find one. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Pics might help us understand exactly what you're referring to.

 

Sorry about that. It looks as if the rocker assembly is touching the cam bearing cap bolts, and the downward pull on that corner caused the crack. Unfortunately I did not take this apart, but as far as I can tell every step in the book was followed, and no parts are missing.



http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...96532%3Bnu0mrj

http://images5a.snapfish.com/2323232...96832%3Bnu0mrj

 

Your sure you have A) The correct rocker assembly, or B) the rocker on the right way? Looking at that 1st rocker arm, it doesn't looked to well lined up with the cam lobe. Possible it's reversed? Front to back...

 

This is actually the second one that has broken. First one had been on there for ever, and only broke after having the head resurfaced. All the arrows are pointing forward. We checked the alignment of the rockers before trying to install and they look good. The adjusting screws are all backed out all the way and I think #1 intake is up in the air in the picture. It was a weird cellphone camera angle.

 

***UPDATE*** I'm an idiot. I assumed that when the machine shop gave me my head back that they had torqued the cam bearing caps down. I even told myself to check before proceeding with the install. The caps are not torqued. They are not even tightened. I dont know if they should have done it or not. Anyone know if it normally is done when they remove a cam?

And thank you again.

 

Some do, some don't. If anything, I would prefer they did NOT, so that I knew it was at proper torque and so I couldn't blame anyone but myself if something happened. Sorry to hear your story, but glad you figured it out.