Steve VH Posted February 21, 2023 Share Posted February 21, 2023 The case hardened shoe on number 3 inlet rocker has broken off, is there a way of replacing the shoe or even the rocker without having to remove the cylinder head, the cylinder head bolts inter lock with the rocker shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 I suspect if you loosen the head bolts then you’ll not be able to torque it back down properly. From memory 2 of the shafts come out the back of the head so you won’t have space to pull them out. Not sure either of the timing chain case will hinder access too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted February 22, 2023 Author Share Posted February 22, 2023 Yes, that is probably the main problem having released several cylinder head bolts to remove the shaft, you won't be able to torque the head down properly without renewing the cylinder head gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 I mean you could try but suspect its not worth it in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Anthony Regents Park Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 If the head has not been off before - or for a long time - I'd bite the bullet and remove the head. It's not a bad job on an E28, two or three hours. Leave the inlet manifold behind and pull the head off with the exhaust manifold. With it off you will undoubtedly find corrosion that needs alloy welding and you can do other stuff like replace all the exhaust manifold studs. If the cam is good, a set of 12 new rockers (febi seem best), new shafts and stem seals. Some machine shops will take a scruffy old cylinder head and turn it around for a few hundred. Remember that the four rockers shafts are not interchangeable and fit a certain way. They can also be a right bastard to remove. The cam oil spray bar must be fitted with the little arrow notch facing forwards, and always use new banjo bolts. Don't reuse the old ones as they will work loose and never, ever use threadlock as it will congeal inside the oil hole. Do it all in one hit and it'll be good forever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted February 25, 2023 Author Share Posted February 25, 2023 I will probably have to farm this job out, 30 yrs ago in my twenties I did a cylinder head gasket on my Capri, an Essex V6, and took me a week, now being the wrong side of 50 the old back isn't up to a week of being bent over a bonnet. It's a shame as the engine was running sweet as a nut till the rocker shoe broke off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Undernutter Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) From memory, yes in theory you can remove the front two rocker shafts with the head in-situ, but not if the radiator is in place. As mentioned, M30 head removal is straightforward enough (I'm currently in the throes of it with my E24...) so thats by far the best option, all things considered. You'll almost certainly break an exhaust stud or two getting it out, so plan ahead for this. Spraying all the manifold fastenings with penetrating oil every day for a week prior to removal will better your chances. Just wanted to Echo what Sir anthony put about the oil spray bar, too- oil starvation as a result of loose banjo bolts/blockages are usually why rockers break in the first place! New ones with the correct locking compound are crucial, and are pence from the dealer, part no. 11421738621 Good luck, let us know how you get on Edited March 2, 2023 by Undernutter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Hows the e24 looking Dave - due a build thread 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfan Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, duncan-uk said: Hows the e24 looking Dave - due a build thread 😉 Yep, 6 love is high on forum5 and always has been - these are mine... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Not jealous.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ordnator 2 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Sharkfan said: Yep, 6 love is high on forum5 and always has been - these are mine... Nice 6 pack Best regards, Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted March 5, 2023 Author Share Posted March 5, 2023 On 02/03/2023 at 11:29, Undernutter said: From memory, yes in theory you can remove the front two rocker shafts with the head in-situ, but not if the radiator is in place. As mentioned, M30 head removal is straightforward enough (I'm currently in the throes of it with my E24...) so thats by far the best option, all things considered. You'll almost certainly break an exhaust stud or two getting it out, so plan ahead for this. Spraying all the manifold fastenings with penetrating oil every day for a week prior to removal will better your chances. Just wanted to Echo what Sir anthony put about the oil spray bar, too- oil starvation as a result of loose banjo bolts/blockages are usually why rockers break in the first place! New ones with the correct locking compound are crucial, and are pence from the dealer, part no. 11421738621 Good luck, let us know how you get on But in removing the front inlet rocker shaft, you would still need to remove 3? cylinder head bolts seeing they interlock with the rocker shaft,? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan-uk Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 I was looking at some old pictures of my cylinder head but couldn’t see the rocker shafts out of the car. But are they notched? I can’t recall how they are retained in head. If not you might not need to pull the head bolts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted March 7, 2023 Author Share Posted March 7, 2023 7 hours ago, duncan-uk said: I was looking at some old pictures of my cylinder head but couldn’t see the rocker shafts out of the car. But are they notched? I can’t recall how they are retained in head. If not you might not need to pull the head bolts? As far as I'm aware the notches in the rocker shaft line up with the cylinder head bolts and interlock, the cylinder head bolts prevent the rocker shaft from working its way lose, even though the shaft is probably an interference fit in the cylinder head housing. Does anyone know different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted March 7, 2023 Author Share Posted March 7, 2023 Just now, Steve VH said: As far as I'm aware the notches in the rocker shaft line up with the cylinder head bolts and interlock, the cylinder head bolts prevent the rocker shaft from working its way lose, even though the shaft is probably an interference fit in the cylinder head housings. There are holes in the camshaft gear, that lined up, would allow the shafts to be extracted without removing the camshaft gear wheel. Does anyone know different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Anthony Regents Park Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 Indeed. You're taking the head off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Anthony Regents Park Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 On 25/02/2023 at 20:45, Steve VH said: I will probably have to farm this job out, 30 yrs ago in my twenties I did a cylinder head gasket on my Capri, an Essex V6, and took me a week, now being the wrong side of 50 the old back isn't up to a week of being bent over a bonnet. It's a shame as the engine was running sweet as a nut till the rocker shoe broke off. Where are you based? I'm in Sheffield/Notts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 3 hours ago, Sir Anthony Regents Park said: Where are you based? I'm in Sheffield/Notts. Southport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted March 17, 2023 Author Share Posted March 17, 2023 7 hours ago, Sir Anthony Regents Park said: Where are you based? I'm in Sheffield/Notts. What's on your mind Andy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Anthony Regents Park Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 It can be fixed! It must be 20 years - maybe more - since I did an E28 head job. I did an E34 535i around 2010 but I still remember the various details. It depends on £££ and how far you want to go. If the cam is worn it can get very expensive very quickly. It's repair v reconditioning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve VH Posted March 17, 2023 Author Share Posted March 17, 2023 5 hours ago, Sir Anthony Regents Park said: It can be fixed! It must be 20 years - maybe more - since I did an E28 head job. I did an E34 535i around 2010 but I still remember the various details. It depends on £££ and how far you want to go. If the cam is worn it can get very expensive very quickly. It's repair v reconditioning. Looking at a repair more than recon, the cam is spot on, car is currently on my drive and Sorned, while I decide what to do, presumably if you took it on I would need to find a way of getting it over to you, a cost, plus your time. D974YPH I bought it in 2011 for £600 as a weekend hobby car before E28 prices went up, being a tight arse, I'm not wanting to spend loads to get it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Anthony Regents Park Posted March 18, 2023 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Well, PM me if you want to go further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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