Ball-swivel rocker adjusters

Anybody ever try these in a Commando head? I have to wonder if there isn't enough oil spashing around under those valve covers to keep them lubed without drilling the rockers. At least it sure seemed like that when I lost a rocker cover and puked oil all over the bike!

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Russ

Good find. I wonder if those would even work on the extreme angles of the Combat valve train?

I have also been looking at these...

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It took me a while to find the Porsche variety as opposed to the Chinese knock-offs.

swooshdave said:

Good find. I wonder if those would even work on the extreme angles of the Combat valve train?

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I don't know, which is why I was hoping to get some feedback. I hate to tap my rockers out to 8MM only to find out I can't make them work. It is also possible that the rocker might need to be shaved on the underside where the adjuster protrudes from it. I guess I should start looking for some donor rockers to mess with if I want to try it.

rvich said:

I have also been looking at these...

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It took me a while to find the Porsche variety as opposed to the Chinese knock-offs.

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These might work, and are a lot cheaper. And recommended by the same place selling the Porsche ones.

I ran them on my 1776 VW Westy for 30000kms. They apparently give the ends of the valves an easier life and thus make setting the gaps easier....more accurate.
I did however have a clip break on the rocker shaft and by the time I noticed it the swivel foot was well and truly munted itself on the valve stem..... I think they fall under the " looks like a great idea but do I really need them "
The rockers need to be packed up for the increased height.

Apparently the genuine porsche ones dont fail, thread roughly the same pitch but 1mm bigger, 8 x1mm , the valves would need to be shortened like t160's were. Check out YA()&*o&%^HA SR 500 forums, the KEDA ones look like they would screw in from the top.

Guys, When I had a Triumph triple these items were discussed and I think used. The Porsche style are favoured, because oil can gravitate into the ball joint. The type with the ground ball in the end of the adjuster were actually fitted to T160's as standard, but usually gave trouble and were replaced in the day with mushroom head or T150 style.

I would go for the Porsche type.

Cheers Richard

High rev's or a missed gear can cause the ball to rotate, [valve float] once off the ball flat the valve is kept open. RGM once stocked them.

john robert bould said:

High rev's or a missed gear can cause the ball to rotate, [valve float] once off the ball flat the valve is kept open. RGM once stocked them.

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i have a set in stock and for some reason could not use them , but cannot remember why
anyone who wants them can have them for the postage (belgium )

I've chickened out and ordered some mushroom adjusters. Basically I decided that adding extra moving parts to the valve train was a bit scary and that it might be one of those projects of diminishing return.

Russ

rvich said:

I've chickened out and ordered some mushroom adjusters. Basically I decided that adding extra moving parts to the valve train was a bit scary and that it might be one of those projects of diminishing return.

Russ

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Darn- I wanted to watch. Jim

comnoz said:

rvich said:

I've chickened out and ordered some mushroom adjusters. Basically I decided that adding extra moving parts to the valve train was a bit scary and that it might be one of those projects of diminishing return.

Russ

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Darn- I wanted to watch. Jim

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I sorta figured that if you haven't done it yet that it is probably a waste of time...but if you have a spare head laying around for me to experiment on, just drop it in the mail and I will let you know.

Russ

rvich said:

comnoz said:

rvich said:

I've chickened out and ordered some mushroom adjusters. Basically I decided that adding extra moving parts to the valve train was a bit scary and that it might be one of those projects of diminishing return.

Russ

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Darn- I wanted to watch. Jim

Click to expand...

I sorta figured that if you haven't done it yet that it is probably a waste of time...but if you have a spare head laying around for me to experiment on, just drop it in the mail and I will let you know.

Russ

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I experimented with a set with the flattened balls one time that were made for a VW engine. They were a dramatic failure. With the 2s cam I was running at the time they would not stay flat side down. I tried some S&W triple valve springs to cure it but they still flipped over.

I don't remember exactly how many taps I destroyed trying to tap the rocker arm holes out to 8mm but it took at least 2 taps to get through each arm. The case hardening on the arms is pretty tough. Jim

rvich said:

I've chickened out and ordered some mushroom adjusters. Basically I decided that adding extra moving parts to the valve train was a bit scary and that it might be one of those projects of diminishing return.

Russ

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I would tend to agree, I have never tried them but I don't like the idea of adding extra weight and an additional part that could fail to the valve train. I have mushroom type adjusters fitted to my T120 and they work well (over 3K miles). However I would be temped to chuck them in the lathe and turn down the heads so they could be unscrewed without removing the rocker boxes. It may also save a little weight

Webby

I experimented with a set with the flattened balls one time that were made for a VW engine. They were a dramatic failure. With the 2s cam I was running at the time they would not stay flat side down. I tried some S&W triple valve springs to cure it but they still flipped over.

Jim[/quote]
And thats the fault of the adjuster??, at least it showed you had valve float problems, the porsche ones appear to be a foot on the end of the ball.

splatt said:

I experimented with a set with the flattened balls one time that were made for a VW engine. They were a dramatic failure. With the 2s cam I was running at the time they would not stay flat side down. I tried some S&W triple valve springs to cure it but they still flipped over.

Jim

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And thats the fault of the adjuster??, at least it showed you had valve float problems, the porsche ones appear to be a foot on the end of the ball.[/quote]

No I wouldn't say it was the fault of the adjuster. They may work fine with a different cam or in the VW engine they were designed for.
I don't have any more experience beyond the one time I tried it quite a few years ago. That is why I didn't jump right in and give an opinion.

I do think the Porsche style adjuster is a much better design and may work great in a Commando. I just never spent the 20 some dollars each to find out. If I were to try it again they would be my choice although I really don't have any reason to with the stellite tipped valves and mushroom adjusters that are available now.

I threw the flat ball type adjusters away when I realized that if both balls got out of place on one cylinder at the same time the valves would tangle and then I would have a real mess. They did have a habit of getting out of place when I least expected it- not only when I over-revved the engine. I do not think the balls were receiving enough lube which I suspect was more of the problem than valve float. In the short time I used them the balls were showing signs of galling. The problem also got worse when I installed stiffer valve springs. Jim

So it could well be the fault of thr adjuster, there is lots of reports of the flat ball type failing, normally with the ball breaking out of the cup, and as you say stronger springs made it worse.

After reading this thread about these "ball-swivel adjusters'' and all the possible failures that may occur, why even go there-----cost/benefit? Nothing stated so far as to what improvements they may have over the "mushroom" type. I think I'll keep my shrooms" ---ain't failed me yet.