Rocker Spindle lock plate / oil channel issue

I've set the rocker spindles into the head to allow the small oil channel ports within the head to be fully clear and open. However, with the spindle(s) at that angle, the grooves that feed the spindle oil channel, and provide seats for the spindle lock plate, are between 10 and 30 degrees off the perpendicular to the lock plate bolt holes. And with the spindle in this position, the locking plate does not fit over the bolt holes.

Turning the spindle to seat the locking plate over the bolt holes will result in a partially covered oil channel port, and restrict the oil flow.

Are the grooves in the spindle to be set perpendicular to the 2 locking plate bolt holes? And if so, is the oil channel deliberately partially closed when the spindle is set in that position? Or do I fettle with the locking plates?

I'm wondering if this is intentional to limit oil flow to the head or perhaps its just not a hyper-critical oil flow point.

Any thoughts here would be appreciated.

Thanks

BC
71 Commando
68 TR6P

I think you should attach a photo.

Dave

I know what you are saying. Seems to me that if the oil hole is just exposed, there will be enough play between the slot of the spindle and the protrusions of the locking plate to allow for the mounting holes to align. And, if the oil holes are just slighly blocked, there will still be adaquate flow.

Stillreel said:

Turning the spindle to seat the locking plate over the bolt holes will result in a partially covered oil channel port, and restrict the oil flow.

Are the grooves in the spindle to be set perpendicular to the 2 locking plate bolt holes? And if so, is the oil channel deliberately partially closed when the spindle is set in that position? Or do I fettle with the locking plates?

Click to expand...

The mouth of each port can be extended slightly until it lines up with the slot (and I've done this in the past) or, the edge of each spindle slot could be ground until it clears the port when the spindle is positioned correctly.

L.A.B. said:

Stillreel said:

The mouth of each port can be extended slightly until it lines up with the slot (and I've done this in the past) or, the edge of each spindle slot could be ground until it clears the port when the spindle is positioned correctly.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Thanks all. I think all of the above will work; enlarging the oil port hole slightly with the dremel will be my 1st attempt.

LAB; assuming the locking plate does just that, won't grinding the spindle result in the same problem if the spindle does move (the edge of the spindle groove covering the oil port)?

Thanks again.

I'll report once the job is done

BC

Stillreel said:

L.A.B. said:

Stillreel said:

The mouth of each port can be extended slightly until it lines up with the slot (and I've done this in the past) or, the edge of each spindle slot could be ground until it clears the port when the spindle is positioned correctly.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Thanks all. I think all of the above will work; enlarging the oil port hole slightly with the dremel will be my 1st attempt.

LAB; assuming the locking plate does just that, won't grinding the spindle result in the same problem if the spindle does move (the edge of the spindle groove covering the oil port)?

Click to expand...

Theoretically, at least, only one side of the slot needs to be widened. The plate tab on the opposite side should still locate the spindle.

I think you will find he suggest you only take the corner off the rocker shaft, not modify the whole groove. Mine is like that, but enough oil gets through without modifying the shaft. If you want to prove it, try running the bike with the plates slightly loose. { have a rag handy though ]
Dereck

I ground my spindles like this. IIRC the port on this one was almost completely blocked, the others to a lesser extent. Sorry about the focusing.

Thanks all;

Jobs done and its looking much improved. I slightly ground one side of the spindle groove, similar to MGA above. The un-modified side will contact the flanges on the lock plate and hold the spindle in place. No more fears of oil-starved rockers.

Thanks again,

BC