Erratic confusing running

[Rex]

Even when they're really "rockers"...

[RichardL]

True. I slightly mispoke and appeciate the clarity. Looking for some personal redemption, I found this part of a definition allowing for it to apply to a lever (rocker?). It describes a mechanical component, such as a rod or lever in an engine, that imparts intermittent motion by tapping or touching another

Richard L.

 

[BSA500]

Went like a scolded cat this morning and ticked over even when hot, its a miracle

[Rex]

True. I slightly mispoke and appeciate the clarity. Looking for some personal redemption, I found this part of a definition allowing for it to apply to a lever (rocker?). It describes a mechanical component, such as a rod or lever in an engine, that imparts intermittent motion by tapping or touching another

"Tappets" is the older name for cam followers, and was used in the days of Side Valve engine tappets which worked directly on the cam lobes. On OHV engines the adjustable rockers are a fair distance from the camshaft.

[RichardL]

Well, like I said,  I misspoke. I was only exploring the word for etymological redemption. 

[CheeserBeezer]

Depending on the geometry of the the rockers, checking the 'valve clearance', 'tappet clearance' is all the same. Checking the clearance at the rockers gives the same reading as the clearance at the cam / cam follower (i.e. tappets) provided the rocker arms are the same length and the angle between the pushrod and the rocker is 90 degrees.