RV8 Rocker Lubrication

[martin]

I started my RV8 for the first time today with no problems, in fact it started straight away and ran quite happily. Afterwards I removed the rocker covers and they were fairly oil free inside. Tried turning engine over on starter without spark plugs and oil does appear in the holes by the rocker arms but not much. Is this typical? Oil light goes out straight away and oil pressure around 30psi @ 2000rpm.

[osgood]

Contrary Mary

Martin, the oil in the rocker area does not flood around too much unlike your modern OHC engine. If you are worried remove the rockers & check you have them on correctly on the shaft, there is a right and wrong way Re the 2 oiling holes. There is a mark on the end of the shaft which gives you the correct position; check the Haynes Manuel as to what position as I cant remember. I think the holes face more down in the dirrection of the H/tappets. Best of luck Eric.

Martin,
I had exactly the same when I first started my engine, I stripped the rocker shafts down and cleaned them thoroughly and found the oil fed freely. Try spinning the oil pump with the rocker shaft removed and oil should spurt form the outer holes. When there clean spinning the pump gives oil seeping around each rocker post.


Rgds
Adrian

[russell_ram]

Martin,

I would concur with what Eric and Adrian have said. The holes in the rocker shafts should angle inwards and downwards towards the tappet area - oil feeds in at the point of maximum bearing pressure in this case. It is possible to assemble incorrectly if you've had the shafts apart. Oil definately does not pour out into the rockers area like on a modern engine.

Check by using a pump priming tool, it will only weep from the sides of the rockers. Or you can run the engine with the covers off - it will splash around a bit (but not too much) but at least it will alleviate your worrys.

Russ

[martin]

Many thanks for the info, i'm sure all is assembled correctly, but will check next weekend when am next home and try using the priming tool. Having a bit of trouble with the water temp though!! guess its an air lock as has commonly been posted before with the RV8. Ran happily for a while with temp about 180deg F then rises quickly and water then blows out of header tank overflow so presume water in the block is starting to boil! Again more investigative work required.

[osgood]

Contrary Mary

Martin, biggest cause of boiling as Russ will tell you on any vehicle is air locks. Check and make sure the thermostat is not jammed closed. Very unlikely the pumps not working. I drilled & tapped a hole in the top of the thermostat housing on the Offy and fitted a block tap, which helps on initial filling.

Blocked radiator perhaps, try filling the car through the top hose into the rad until the water comes out of the thermo housing; looking on the down side at the end of the line "head gasket" if all else fail's Eric