I am trying to bench check the wipe pattern on my Crane rockers. I can center the pattern on the valve, but the pattern seems to be overly wide at about 0.100" rather than the 0.060" I was trying to get. I can move the pattern in and out with respect to the intake side but can't seem to narrow it. Has anyone run into this, or is it characteristic of the Crane rocker action?

 

I'd go for getting the wipe/scrub as narrow as possible first, then see where you are for centering. It should be possible to get both good together, but as long as the contact point doesn't get too close to the edge, it is of less importance than the wipe. AFAIK, any decent rocker should be capable of being adjusted to <0.080".

 

Smallest I can get it is 0.090" based on measuring by eye.

 

Have you tried favoring it to the intake just a hair? That usually gets it around .060 for me.

 

No, I have been trying to get it in the middle. One problem I am having is the checking springs don't wipe a pattern very well due to low pressure. I have to try and help it with a little rubbing alcohol on the rocker roller to help dissolve the Sharpie marker and this may be spreading the apparent width of the wipe mark. What are you using to mark the top of the valve stem?

I will try a little shorter setup to move it towards the intake side and see what happens. I have found that I can measure the stud depth in the adjustment nut and re-establish my patterns really easy, so when I put the head on the car I should be able to get the pushrod length quickly. I am working with the head on a workbench now.

 

I use a felt tip marker, but the longer it dries the harder it is to rub off. I try to mark it and quickly set the rocker up and turn it over. Seems to work pretty good for me.

 

I'll grab a couple of markers today (the Sharpie may be too permanent) and see how it comes out. Vinci also recommends favoring the intake side when you set up the rocker so I will move the pattern inward tonight and how it comes out

 

and you said I didnt teach ya nothing........