Author Topic: How do i get the pushrod align without a aligment tool?  (Read 3247 times)

Offline dosser

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now i tried for 8 hours and 3 rocker-gasket later and stil miss one, after i changed gaskey on the cylinder, is there a way or do i have to get the alignment tool, cant find it in denmark and im in a litle hurry for a trip.
Sorry for my poor english, im from Denmark.
53 A7

Offline Swarfcut

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     Start by making sure each pushrod is correctly positioned in the centre of its cam follower. You need to slack off all the tappet adjusters.

   Put on the rockerbox, leave it raised  slightly on the four bolts then use torch and mirror to look inside.

   In turn move each pushrod under its cup, using a wire hook, then lower the rocker arm into place onto the pushrod tip and tie up with a rubber band. This keeps the arms on the pushrods. Then lower the rocker box down, screw the adjusters lightly to remove all play, tighten the rockerbox down and remove the rubber bands. Make sure the engine will turn over by hand, then tappet adjustment can be set.

 That's one way of doing it.

   Having three hands helps,  Gynaecologists have no problem.

Online Angus

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Hi, I found after much effort, there was always one pushrod very slightly high as is came onto the cam. when I made sure that was an inlet push rod it went on first time. See https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=13293.msg170343#msg170343 plus other earlier posts in that thread by me.
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Online sean

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i dont use the tool , I find it easier to put a dab of grease on the ends of each push rod and use a curved dental pick and flashlight to position them .......might not need the flashlight if your eyes are younger than mine  *smile*

Offline dosser

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Well, thanks, i did almost like you did, now i must have a cold and wait until tommorow (says my wife LoL)
Then i give it another 8 hours ;-)
53 A7

Online Rex

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i dont use the tool , I find it easier to put a dab of grease on the ends of each push rod and use a curved dental pick and flashlight to position them .......might not need the flashlight if your eyes are younger than mine  *smile*

I do the same, but definitely with the rockers slackened right off.

Offline RichardL

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A couple of things:

  • I made my own as shown here: https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=368.msg3492#msg3492
  • Regardless of using the comb, I always check using a stick mirror to look up to the top of the rods to be sure they're in the rocker cups.
  • I use a "flashlight" with the mirror. Mentioning this just in case "torch" does not have the same meaning in Denmark as it does in England. That could have an unfortunate result.  :o
  • You could ask a friend to help.

Offline Neil Spooner

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The tool is really cheap from Fecked, postage shouldn’t be expensive.
59 A7SS

Online muskrat

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G'day dosser.
Ahhh, our favorite job, not.
I use the comb and rubber bands but have done it without the comb and just hooks.
With the adjusters backed right off and the rubber bands holding them up.
Something that may make it easier for you is to make dummy studs. Get the box up over the head and screw in the studs into the bolt holes. You can then slide the box down square to about 10mm up. Start with the ex side first, push down on the rocker and position the rod into the cup, the rubber band hols it there. Then the same for the inlets. Push the box down and remove the studs. bolt it up, adjust the tappets, job done.
I've done it hundreds of times, some take minutes some take an hour!
Best of luck.
Cheers
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Online sean

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I wonder how they did this on the production line at BSA ,fiddly time consuming job

Online Brian

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Re: How do i get the pushrod align without a aligment tool?
« Reply #10 on: 30.04. 2025 04:21 »
I have often wondered why they did not produce a head gasket the same as the A7 Longstroke motors had. Those gaskets have holes where the pushrods come up rather than one big hole. I couldnt find a decent picture of one but the attached pic will give the general idea.

Online muskrat

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Re: How do i get the pushrod align without a aligment tool?
« Reply #11 on: 30.04. 2025 04:48 »
G'day Fellas.
How much easier is the Trihard T120 system with two separate rocker boxs and gaskets with push rod holes.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR,  '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
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Online Brian

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Re: How do i get the pushrod align without a aligment tool?
« Reply #12 on: 30.04. 2025 07:19 »
Yes as much as we all love our BSA's the rocker box design wasnt one of their better efforts.

Offline dosser

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Re: How do i get the pushrod align without a aligment tool?
« Reply #13 on: 30.04. 2025 08:55 »
After 1 1/2 hour this morning, i THINK i got it LoL, now ill see if i can start after reassambly.
Thanks for all the help.

A happy Dane and we stil got Greenland!
53 A7

Offline Swarfcut

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Re: How do i get the pushrod align without a aligment tool?
« Reply #14 on: 30.04. 2025 09:23 »
   Some folks use the ARIEL Huntmaster rocker box with its central access. As Ariel was part of BSA the Huntmaster engine is all A10 inside, but with its own crankcase castings. Cylinder head is very similar to A10, but with exhaust pipe stubs. These heads often appear on ebay, listed as A10 by ignorant sellers, as do the timing covers, again just a bit different.

  Some attempt to keep the two marques apart, or maybe the cost accountants and marketing men ruled against using a common rockerbox.

  A7 Longstroke is easy with the Triumph design influence carried over.  Reckon company politics won the day and we have suffered ever since.

 Swarfy