I was wondering if the 394 Oldsmobile rocker assemblies had (retainer?) springs and end caps that held the rocker arms in place when the engine is running. When I got my car, the rocker assembly did not have them, and what's even more strange is how the picture of the assembly in the original '64 service manual doesn't show springs, but only shaft end caps. What is even more interesting, I found on a website called rockerarms.com is that there are two options: 394 1962-64 8 Olds. Rocker Assy. Hyd. Non-Adj. OL-44 394 1962-64 8 Olds. (Assy. w/o Springs on Shaft) BU-66 Not sure what they entirely mean, for those who have worked on these 394s, are there really ones without springs and they work without them? Also where is a reputable source to obtain these springs and end caps? I'll also upload a pic of what my assembly looks like. Sorry for the trouble, Bryan
I've seen them with and without. The pushrods have a slight lean towards the towers keeping the rockers in place
Interesting how Olds decided to do that. Do I still need end caps on my rocker shaft or do I have everything ?
Yes , you need them . They keep oil in the rocker shaft . The rocker arms are oiled by the shafts . the shafts get oil from a passage in one rocker stand . Which gets oil from passages drilled in the heads and block . The springs were used thru '58 with the straight rocker arms . After '59 they weren't needed . Per the reason stated previously . New rocker shafts are available from Fusick Automotive . They are a good investment if you are doing an overhaul . Old rocker shafts retain dirt and sludge . New rocker arms aren't a bad idea either .
The Jalopy Journal
