This is my first time rebuilding an engine. I'm not seeking perfection. Maybe next time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Landing within acceptable tolerances is good enough for this round. What's acceptable? What's ideal? In many instances the books don't say. This case of rocker alignment is one.

Something an experienced person can eyeball or give a turn or a wiggle to determine whether it's normal, unusual but ok, or a problem, leaves me scratching my head due to lack of experience.

To further digress, not being a machinist (though I wouldn't mind getting into the field), I have to farm out the most important work done in rebuilding an engine. I hand parts to the shop and get back whatever quality of work they've done. That's frustrating. I hate hiring people to do jobs because so many don't care. I mean for anything in general, not just machine shops.

One thing I've learned from this rebuild is using a good shop -- and good luck finding one in your area -- is of utmost importance.

Back to this rocker issue, I've found that the screws and pads line up about the same on my old 1986 head and cam as they do on the Engnbldr head with the 268 cam. Moving the rocker arms around to different positions doesn't make any difference, so it's not like a crooked rocker is the issue.

Both the old setup and the new seem to have noticeable misalignment between the #4 exhaust cam lobe and corresponding valve stem. With no shims, the screw is almost .050" off center while the pad rides slightly over the far side of the cam lobe. Shimming only moves the pad more out of whack.