Author Topic: Black Arts (locate push rods)  (Read 2486 times)

Offline Zander

  • A's Good Friend
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 160
  • Karma: 1
Black Arts (locate push rods)
« on: 24.07. 2017 18:53 »
Today I've been introduced by the Black Art of attempting and failing abysmally, to locate the push rods and fit the rocker box.  Having researched the subject on the forum, I gain absolutely no pleasure in the knowledge that others have had a similar experience.  With a fair wind and a lot of luck, I reckon I should have it sorted by next Sunday!!
'59 GF

Offline ellis

  • Valued Contributor
  • ****
  • Join Date: Feb 2016
  • Posts: 434
  • Karma: 4
Re: Black Arts
« Reply #1 on: 24.07. 2017 19:27 »
Keep going Zander they will eventually drop in place while you are sipping your tea.   *beer*

ELLIS

Offline a10 gf

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Sep 2006
  • Posts: 3181
  • Karma: 57
  • West Coast, Norway & Alpes Maritimes, France
    • A10 GF
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #2 on: 24.07. 2017 19:34 »
Although not perfect, the pushrod comb tool is of big help IMO.


Stand with
A10 GF '53 My A10 website
"Success only gets you a ticket to a much more difficult task"

Offline Zander

  • A's Good Friend
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 160
  • Karma: 1
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #3 on: 24.07. 2017 19:58 »
I've been using the piggin comb all afternoon😄  I know it's one of those jobs that either falls into place first time, or takes for ever.  Mines taking forever *pull hair out*
'59 GF

Offline Greybeard

  • Jack of all trades; master of none.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 9810
  • Karma: 49
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #4 on: 24.07. 2017 20:00 »
I think this job depends a lot on your state of mind. I've had the buggers fight me for ages and other times they just go in!
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline Billybream

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 640
  • Karma: 8
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #5 on: 24.07. 2017 20:02 »
It's certainly not the easiest job and agree the comb does help, but sometimes can damage your gasket.
I find best to get someone to hold the comb or make a tempory mounting for it and locate from the timing side, ensure the tappet adjusters are screwed out and use a torch and some thin wire to finally locate the rods into position. Years ago I used only my fingers to locate the rods but old age has stopped that.
Then after all that pray you have no leaks, or it's off again.
1960 Super Rocket, owned since 1966, back on the road 2012 after being laid up for 29yrs.

Offline Greybeard

  • Jack of all trades; master of none.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 9810
  • Karma: 49
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #6 on: 24.07. 2017 20:22 »
After refitting the cylinder head you have to take the blighters out again to retorque the head!
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline Steve.Carter

  • Moving Up
  • **
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 19
  • Karma: 0
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #7 on: 24.07. 2017 20:25 »

Here's something that I did on our Ariel Forum to help a couple of lads having similar troubles with their Huntmasters.

Steve


http://forum.arielownersmcc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5272&p=33455&hilit=Rocker+box#p33455

Offline Greybeard

  • Jack of all trades; master of none.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 9810
  • Karma: 49
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #8 on: 24.07. 2017 20:47 »
http://forum.arielownersmcc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5272&p=33455&hilit=Rocker+box#p33455

Yeh, but: On the bench. No gasket and/or goo. Hole in the top of the Ariel rocker box. Comb locating bolts have been removed before fitting the top; what about cutting the heads off so you can remove them after the box is fitted.
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Online bsa-bill

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2006
  • Posts: 5720
  • Karma: 66
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #9 on: 24.07. 2017 22:05 »
it helps if you turn the engine over so that the pushrods are as near even as you can get ( no one pushrod way up in the air)

I was reminded of this this afternoon - (so on the second attempt I got it with only one dislocated finger)
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Offline mikeb

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 813
  • Karma: 13
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #10 on: 24.07. 2017 22:20 »
i found the comb fairly unhelpful and did mess up the gaskets. but I'd still use it if anchored in place - little wooden blocks or similar amidst the fins (alloy head for me). lowering the cover down slowly while locating the pushrods using a 'Y' shaped piece of wire worked best for me. and a very good torch. and lots of swearing.
New Zealand
'61 Super Rocket  - '47 B33 -  '21 Triumph Speed Triple RS

Offline Zander

  • A's Good Friend
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 160
  • Karma: 1
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #11 on: 24.07. 2017 22:35 »
Thanks one and all for the words of wisdom and encouragement on this topic.  The battle will resume in the morning, bits of wood n wire to hand.  One thing I DIDN'T  do was to back off the tappets, so I'll try that first.  *wink2*
'59 GF

Online Black Sheep

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 1185
  • Karma: 8
    • Where black sheep live
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #12 on: 24.07. 2017 22:52 »
I found the comb to be useless. A bit of bent wire, a torch, a slim screwdriver and a huge dose of patience seem to work most of the time. Yes, backing off the adjusters is essential. A dab of grease in the rocker cups can help hold the pushrods in place once they are located.
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep

Online KiwiGF

  • Last had an A10 in 1976, in 2011 it was time for my 2nd one. It was the project from HELL (but I learned a lot....)
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 1933
  • Karma: 17
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #13 on: 24.07. 2017 22:56 »
Thanks one and all for the words of wisdom and encouragement on this topic.  The battle will resume in the morning, bits of wood n wire to hand.  One thing I DIDN'T  do was to back off the tappets, so I'll try that first.  *wink2*

Are you using elastic bands to pull the rockers up as well as backing off the tappets?

Also, 2 rods should always drop in place without help as the rocker box does that for you (I've forgotten which two), this halves the problem.

Having said that, I just use the elastic band technique and a piece of wire to push the 2 errant rods into position and don't have problems (go on .....shoot me).
New Zealand

1956 A10 Golden Flash  (1st finished project)
1949 B31 rigid “400cc”  (2nd finished project)
1968 B44 Victor Special (3rd finished project)
2001 GL1800 Goldwing, well, the wife likes it
2009 KTM 990 Adventure, cos it’s 100% nuts

Offline mikeb

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 813
  • Karma: 13
Re: Black Arts (locate push rods)
« Reply #14 on: 25.07. 2017 06:50 »
Quote
Are you using elastic bands to pull the rockers up as well as backing off the tappets?
YES - do that. i forgot - that is the killer trick. and the 'Y' shaped piece of wire
New Zealand
'61 Super Rocket  - '47 B33 -  '21 Triumph Speed Triple RS