I'm assembling my engine. The rocker assembly is original w/116K miles, cleaned and reassembled with parts in their original places. When set on top of my new Engnbldr head, the adjusting screws don't line up. I know they are often off a little, but 3 in particular seemed pretty far out. I used feeler gauges to estimate how much shimming each rocker would need to be fairly centered:

1 in: .049"
1 ex: .024"

2 in: .035"
2 ex: .035"+ (can't tell because the rocker is contacting the stem)

3 in: .043"? (same as above)
3 ex: .025"

4 in: .035"
4 ex: .045"

Ted said .025" misalignment is common, but more than that he'd get a bit nervous. Thought I'd post that here since this isn't an easy subject to find answers about.

Ted used to cut shims (using scissors) from bronze shim stock. I only see rolls of that, which are expensive, plus I'm dangerous with scissors.

I found some steel shims at McMaster-Carr. 1" OD, 5/8" ID, .025" thick. 10 pack for $4.62. Part number 3088A413. Might need a few thousandths sanded from the inside to fit, but should be close.

Is this the route people usually go, or does any outfit sell shims specifically for this purpose?

Any horror stories about using shims?

I think you need the round things depicted in EG1-30; they could be worn.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/engine/7cylinder.pdf

AFAIK, you don't shim a 22Rx head; just the 3.0 heads.

The issue here isn't valve clearance. 22R's use adjuster screws that ride directly against the valve ends. Those screws don't usually line up perfectly with the valve ends, which is expected. Being off a little doesn't hurt. If they are out significantly, using a thin washer/shim on the shaft to move the rocker arm over slightly makes sense.

In my case, the rockers farthest out of alignment aren't the two riding against those factory spacers, so replacing them won't help.

I switched my rocker arms around so fresh, unworn sides ride against the towers. That didn't make much difference, so wear, as I suspected, isn't an issue.

I've ordered some shims from McMaster-Carr.

Here are pictures of #1 intake, needing somwhere around .050" worth of shimming to be centered:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/flyingbrass45/rebuild/DSCF4022_640x480.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/flyingbrass45/rebuild/DSCF4023_640x480.jpg

Hi, I know about the valve adj screws; I was refering to the round deal that goes in line with the rockers as being worn. Can't remember the proper name for them off-hand.

rocker arm shafts

Not quite; from the parts thread:
22Rxx cam rocker spacers 90561-16005

i think it is a 2 piece deal that you can add without pulling the assembly apart...and cut off the old ones that are plastic...

That's what I'm thinking also; seemed to me a few years back there was an article that showed they were fitted together with allen set screws.

what does that 'not quite' mean?

funny, Ive had 8 or 9 22r and 22re's and never had an issue with the alignment... and 2 had really high mileage. all were oem parts. are non oem parts an issue with this?