I'm burrowing through the garage sorting out a set of rockers for the new 998 build. I've got a set of 1.5:1 forged which took a bit of damage to the pads earlier this year from a shitty set of valve stems. They're marked lightly on 3 of the pads.


I'm torn between paying to get them done professionally at a machine shop, making a jig of some description or just gently resurfacing them on my linisher. I think I could polish them pretty well, but realise the curve is important as well. Has anyone tried this and failed?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Not on a linisher.... too hard to keep the face square.
I do the Toyota Corolla ones on the bench grinder. On the side of a fine wheel. WITH ROCKERS OFF THE SHAFT!
I make sure the tool rest is dead square to the wheel. As long as you are only taking a few thou off, it works.
But trust me, machining is my trade... it may not work OK for you.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have done hundreds like that Mick, with either a linisher or a bench grinder, using the side of the wheel. If you have ever seen or used a W&B/Repco rod hone or valve refacer you will see that they do rockers a simular way. Go for it.

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

Yep, yep. I've already taken the shaft apart to give it all a clean...

I've got a small bench grinder, but it hasn't a platform large enough to keep it square. I do have a belt sander with a disc sander on the side. I can get a garnet disc for that and use its inbuilt platform to keep them square to the face.

I believe the faces are hardened, will they endure a few thou taken off in the long run?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Yeah they should, 1.5 ones are pretty hard. Mine have 50,000 miles up now and are still fine.
But I'd question using 1.5 rockers on a smallbore with either RE83 or RE13 cams.. you will have too much valve lift.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

you know I wasn't going to until I noticed the stock rockers I had pinged for the head have the early ally posts...and the forged rocker posts are matched to the forged rockers and can't be swapped..and they're here...and they are rebuilt...and they are awesome...temptation, temptation...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Mick I will send ya a set of later ones with the cam key...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Fit the 1.5s Mick, I have never had a small bore A series go backward cos of a set of 1.5 rockers, Henrys 850 Targa car had 1.5s and it beat every other mini there!

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

I can lend you my larger grinder, if that helps.

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'68 Morris Mini 1310 A+ (Now Sold!)

I have..... Pushed the valve guides right in the head n bound the dprings well good! Thst was with 1.3s and my big cam in my 998!

Should have checked it, but im young n stupid, and now poorer for it!

-Cam

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IS NOW BACK ONLINE AFTER SOMETIME..... SORRY TO ALL, FOR NOT REPLYING TO PM'S!!

Mick those valves I gave you are out of a 940 head so they are about 3mm longer than your original ones. with the honda spring bases it should change the upper limit of the rocker arm but the clearance on the valve stem fitted with guide type seals should be plenty.
Just double check that the exhaust valves clear the top of the block as they are a little bigger in diameter.
If you do have a problem then you might need a set of outer springs off a 1275 , but if the compressed length is around 33-35mm then there should be enough seating compression.
If you have any dramas let me know as I have plenty of other progessive rate springs that will fit.
With the rockers face them off but I them heat them up to a dull red colour and quench them in fish oil. Best oil available for hardening unless you can get some whale oil

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

It's not particularly expensive to have them done, quite cheap in fact.

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You should hear what my wife considers expensive of late!




its summertime at Werribee beach. But squeezing them for the oil without upsetting their husbands causes dramas.

I'll pick up some fish oil from the shops. I suppose capsules will not do...
This is certain to spin the wife out.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

that was no 850

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

I've set my bench disc sander platform to be perpendicular to the disc and linished them by putting the rocker on the plate and rolling them to and for to match the exisiting rolled edge until the marks were virtually gone. I kept them pretty cool by not asking too much of the grinder as I polish. I've left a little of the marks there to ask for a little further opinion from the brains trust.

Should I continue to polish until nothing is left? The marks cannot be felt with my nail so aren't raised, but still represent a very very small scratch or bruise. I'm worried about removing hardened metal unnecessarily. Should I continue until they are all gone or simply bias the rocker to keep the valve stem away?

My phone is neat at making good photos and puts it directly onto photobucket as well..its pretty handy for this kind of work I can't believe its just a phone camera sometimes.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.