Finned Rocker Spinder Covers

Hey Guys,

I just picked up a set of those old finned rocker spindle covers, wasn't looking for them but found 'em in a pile of parts and thought they were interesting.
I haven't seen many of them around, I've seen Sir Eddy's new parts which use the orginal feed, but not many of the old ones. These are the type that bypass the original feed and direct oil into the spindles themselves. Is this a good upgrade to have oil going there or does it not make much difference at all?
These covers have copper fittings threaded into the top, would prefer to have a proper banjo fitting there but there's not much clearance from the head. Can the original feed simply be blocked with a gasket?

Also, while investigating a weeping spindle cover I noticed the spindles on the l/h side are protruding from the machined face a mill or two, causing the spindle covers to be bent, hence creating the oil weeping. Can I just tap these into the head or will I be causing damage doing that? I haven't check the r/h side yet but would assume they are further in.

Nortons hardly need oil in the head or can drain much out so likely fine to just weep oil over spindles.

Spindle should seat flush like the others, if nothing hanging up/caught then should be able to tap in but not all spindles fit well and may have to hi heat head to get spindle to drift in w/o boogering its end.

I don't know squat about the finned covers, but I agree with Hobot about heating the head. Set up a heat gun and walk away for awhile until it is too warm to leave your hand on it comfortably. If its off the engine it is easier, if on then some real patience may be needed to get that warm. The cast iron will absorb a lot of heat. But you don't want to whack on it and find out there is something in the bottom of the bores preventing it from seating. Use an aluminum or brass punch to prevent damage to the threads.

As I remember the big end crank bolts will thread into the rocker spindle. If you have any of those laying around thread them in all the way and whack on that instead of the spindle. If it's just a few thou, it shouldn't take much but heat will help. Make sure they're lined up right with the inner metal cover tits too, it can make it hard to get the bolts in.

Dave
69S