60* rocker tool

[prophiseer]

For those who don't know of it yet and do a lot of 60* service work, there's a special tool on the market that allows for the removal of the pushrods when doing a LIM gasket, without having to remove the rockers. I just used it for the first time the other day, and no shit, it cuts about 30-45min off the LIM repair job; I seriously don't see a way you can accidently swap the pushrods, either. Although, after re-installing the pushrods, I did have to bump the crank about 1/4 turn to re-install two of 'em. Either way, it's a snap to use.

Tool cost me $14 off the Matco tool-truck, and I'm sure Snap-On, Mac, and OTC have their own designs too. It's worth it's weight in gold, if you do a lot of LIM gasket replacements, get it.

Just thought some of y'all might like to know. If y'all admins think this post is spam, just bump it.

[SappySE107]

Got a pic? Something like that might be nice for the guys running a cam and stock pushrods because they didn't know to check it before hand.

[prophiseer]

Here's an image from Matco, listed as a "Pushrod Remover":



The tool fits over the rocker arm and allows you to compress the valve spring using the rocker so you can remove the pushrod. I used this on a 3400 in a '00 Montana, so I believe that means she'll work on every stock 60* application (clearance between the motor and the cowl on a Montana is close).

I'll try to get a pic sometime this week using it on a spare head I have laying around, hopefully I can get that pic tomorrow.

[1988GTU]

I love that tool!

[IsaacHayes]

Huh. I guess if you were doing a bunch, loosening and re-torquing to specs the rockers could get old.

[1988GTU]

IMHO
It's not about repetition, it's about making money and how many repairs you get done at the "rated" time given.

[IsaacHayes]

Yeah, I kind of left that out of my reply, but was thinking that too. Not only does it get old, but takes time doing all that stuff. Eliminating one or two steps can add up.

Does the rocker then have no load on it I assume after the pusrod is out? you lift the rocker, turn to side, remove pushrod right?

[SE'sarecool2]

I've had that tool for 3 months; great tool, great price!

[prophiseer]

Yeah, after the pushrod is out, there's no load on the rocker, and the valve is held full-closed by the spring. Like I said, this completely elimnates having to torque the rockers during re-installation, and because the rockers are still in their locks, there is no way you could accidently re-install the wrong pushrod to the rocker. I did have two that were tight going in, but 1/4 turn of the crank to lower the lifter a bit solved that issue.

Here's some pics of how it works, for anyone curious:

This is the installed pushrod / rocker setup:



This is how the tool sits on the rocker arm:



This is with the tool using the rocker to compress the spring to allow clearance for removing the pushrod (not the greatest shot, it's hard to get enough leverage with one hand when the motor is on an engine stand and wants to move also, and you've got your other hand holding a camera ):



This is the pushrod removed, I slid a feeler gauge under the rocker just to show the rocker tilted all the way forward:

[gectek]

i think it would be better, not just for time saving, but also easier on the bolt, since, if you are doing fitment, pushrod checking, clearancing, etc on the valvetrain, then you can leave the bolt in, intsead of retorqueing it every time and making the bolt weaker IMO, since it is a torque to yield bolt

[rx191]

ok the tool is cool but do you have to remove the rear valve cover to use it. i do these gaskets on a daily basis and the whole job only takes 50min, that includes adding coolant and getting ready for road test. so i don't see how this tool is faster if you really know the secert of doing these intake gaskets

[grandprixgtp_91]

use that tool all the time definatly good for flat rate. lol we love them at our shop, we have used them for almost 8 months now.

Jake

[prophiseer]

Dude . . . ain't no way, no way you can pull off R&Ring the LIM gaskets in 50min, even in a shop setting. I gotta call bluff on that one, there's no way to replace the gaskets without pulling the valve covers, even without the tool, the valve covers have to be off to be able to properly loosen and retighten the rockers. And besides, running the coolant, even after being properly bled out, takes 10-15min in itself. If there's some secret to this job that can cut the work down to 50min from the average 4-5hrs, cough it up!

I'll say, if you CAN pull off this repair in 50min, I sure feel sorry for the headaches that work will cause.

[rx191]

yes there in a secert to doing these intakes and it took me about a yar to figure it out, me and 3 other guys around here know the way to do it, and all of us can do the job in less than an hour total ( not inculding test drive ), it's not hard at all and i have never ever had a comeback. i will make a seperate post in this section on my procedure, give it a try after 2-3 times i bet you can do just as fast, by the way thats only in the cars the vans take about 1 1/2.