Replace the rocker assembly?

[wade shestaka]

Who out there has replaced theirs before, or did you just rebuild the old one? I cant seem to find a shop in the area to rebuild mine, or if its easy enough maybe i can rebuild it myself. Also, should i replace the head gasket too, or can i just torque everything back down if im careful and dont break the seal? Any knowlege or past experience will be very appreciated.

[Gullygossner]

defenitly know you will need to replace the head gasket if ya take it off. why do you need the rebuild, not within spec?

[wade shestaka]

Way out of spec. I can wiggle some of the side to side. No matter how much adjusting i do they seem to get worse and worse.

[4-runnin]

Why do you need to replace the headgasket if you remove the rocker assembly??:confused: :confused:

[wade shestaka]

I was thinking that because the head bolts also hold down the rocker assembly the head gasket will maybe expand and wont seal properly anymore. I dont want to have to tear everything apart again if i can help it. Real bummer.:(

[Gullygossner]

yes once you take the head bolts off you pretty much break the seal on the gasket, you could risk it and just bolt it down again, but a month later you could be tearing into your engine again. Kinda cheap insurance if you ask me. There is a bushing in the rocker arm that is most likely worn out in your case, I would pick up a mauanl, tear them down the way it says, take it to a machine shop and have them replace those bushings.

[slacker]

as I know ... if you want to rebuild the top end ... do it as a package ... dont cheep out ...

specs are as .... there should be no movement in the rockers lateraly . procdure is ... "using dial indicator , measure inside dia. of rocker arm . using micrometer , measure outside dia. of the shaft . subtract the shaft dia. from rocker dia. .... max oil clearance= .0031 or .08mm"

rocker arm shafts wear out ... I have seen it many times and it is over looked lots (not common in a rebuild)

[wade shestaka]

Unfortunately my hanes manual only lists the specs and doesnt say much about the rebuild, like how to get the old bushings out, or the new ones in. I have to get the job done within the weekend so i dont want any last minute surprises. Im gonna call toyota and see how they do it, maybe see how much they charge. I cant get over the fact that i call engine rebuild places and they dont know anything about it. Some dude didnt even know what i was talking about!

[slacker]

there are no bushings in the rocker arms unless your runnin way early 20r shafts ... The rocker arms are now alumminum and machined with no bushings .

If you have the old cast arms .... I would suggest buying a rocker arm assy. from a wrecker or off the board and be done with it .

[wade shestaka]

My cousin found some rockers for $20 ea., im not sure about the rails yet but i figure around $45-50. Im still wondering about the head gasket though. Ive got about 6000km on it. Ill also be doing the timing chain and tensioner. Anyone use a Cloyes timing chain? I think ill get the toyota tensioner for $140, and i can get the toyota chain for $160, but i dont know if id be just as well off with something cheaper. Whats your opinions?

[slacker]

in a perfect world .... you should replace rockers with the cam ... minnimizes noise , but I know we all cant do that ...but YES ..... change the head gasket .. you cant use it over again . + it will also make the timing chain job easier .

If you get a jobber timing chain kit you should be ok , but I would definatly stay with toyota tensioner or go to lordco and get a "altrom" tensioner .... those are the only 2 good ones out there .

[wade shestaka]

I just replaced the cam about 6000km ago, im going to pull the valve cover off on sat. and inspect the cam and everything else. I hope to get all the parts next week and do the work the following weekend. It sounds like crap, and i cant stand it!

[slacker]

.... go to toyota and buy some NEW adjusting screws .... or you can surface them if you know someone at a machine shop .... it will really help with the noise .