Quality Rockers??

linzerl · Post by **linzerl** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:47 pm

I need to replace the rockers and shafts as upon inspection, mine are quite badly scored.

There seems to be a massive price variety of rockers and shafters..cheap OEM or expensive genuine parts.

How can you tell the difference quality wise and I am thinking that a stealth cam and double valve springs (still hydraulic lifters) require top notch kit due the additional valve stresses.

Do the cheap rockers still have 602153/4 stamped on them making it hard to distinguish between OEM and genuine?

tips and advice gladly accepted.

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:11 pm

When I had my 4.6 built just over 2 years ago, I was discussing pattern parts verses genuine with the engine builder and he stated that he would only be using genuine. Reason being the quality difference.

Pattern parts can (but not always) be very poor quality wise, especially so it would seem with items like rockers and shafts, and all too often such items originate in China.

I don't know if the markings that you mention appear on pattern parts.

He even said that some he had seen were even broken in the box..

Not even used...

My engine was fitted with genuine items, and after 20,000 miles the top end is as quite and tick free as the day they were installed....

Ron.

Richard P6 · Post by **Richard P6** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:16 pm

ermm.. I am probably missing something here but aren't OEM, genuine parts?

When I rebuilt the top end of my old P6B, a long time ago, I went to the local Rover Garage and asked for a price for rockers, shafts, cam, followers, and all gaskets to fit. They quoted me £540.00 for the OEM parts.

I then went to a company in Salisbury (something or other pistons) and asked them for a price for the same kit, but not genuine Rover parts. Without even looking he said £540.00 less 40% discount.

I was amazed that he could do that without even looking or indeed thinking about it. He fessed up though. Apparently less than an hour beofe I turned up he had just added up all of the parts for a Rover garage in Shaftesbury

You don't always get what you think you have got

Your best bet is to get parts from a well known and respected supplier possibly a recommended one. I am sure someone on here will be able to recommend one - I am a bit out of touch at the moment though.

PS I phoned Real Steel and they charged me £200 including next day delivery. I said it was a long time ago

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:44 am

V8 Tuner has rockers and shafts which I believe are genuine Rover, approx £120 for the set.

There are some people offering steel rockers which are best avoided.

http://v8tuner.co.uk/category.php?id=32

Kevin.

linzerl · Post by **linzerl** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:26 am

Thanks all.

I assumed OEM is "Other Equipment Manufacturer" (taken from my old IT days).. but I suppose in this context it could be "Original EM"

Now I am not sure..

sidecar · Post by **sidecar** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:35 am

Somebody posted up on the forum that they bought a cheapo set of rockers and shafts, when they turned up they had more play in them than the 100k miles set that he was trying to replace!

Really V8 Tuner, JRV8, or RS are your best bet in my humble.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:30 am

That was me with the naff rockers. I did get a full refund when I took them back though. Apparently a large batch of duff cvopy ones flooded the market sometime back, and they are popping up all over the place.

As far as strength is concerned. I'm using genuine landrover parts (assuming the bags are not a copy)? Just the standard ally ones.

I'e used them for a year on the 3500 and now 2 years on the 4600. No road use apart from chugging around the pits. Just nitrous assisted drag racing week in week out throughout 9 months of the year.

No rocker problems so far

But I only rev to 6000.

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:35 pm

OEM stands For Original Equipment Manufacturer.
OOPPPSSS the anorak in me just jumped out!!!
P

SuperV8 · Post by **SuperV8** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:00 pm

I have some "cheaper patern parts" waiting to go on my rebuilt 4.6.

My original ones like yours are scored.

I'll have a look when I get home and compare them to my used OE (original Equipment

ones)

Interestingly there is no tollerance in the engine manual for rocker to shaft clearance? Anyone know what the clearance should be?

IMO; Don't assume though becasue they might be from china they are crap quality. A chinese company I know makes brake discs for one of the best known braking companies (won't say who)

Tom.

JP. · Post by **JP.** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:50 am

Real Steel does good ones. 116,52 a kit including new rockershafts
http://www.realsteel.co.uk/

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:26 am

SuperV8 wrote:I have some "cheaper patern parts" waiting to go on my rebuilt 4.6.

My original ones like yours are scored.

I'll have a look when I get home and compare them to my used OE (original Equipment ones)

Interestingly there is no tollerance in the engine manual for rocker to shaft clearance? Anyone know what the clearance should be?

IMO; Don't assume though becasue they might be from china they are crap quality. A chinese company I know makes brake discs for one of the best known braking companies (won't say who)

Tom.

Chinese parts themselves vary in quality. There are plenty of very well made chinese parts out there and companies such as Bosch and Valeo are now making some parts in china themselves. I do have one policy though, If I need a part with rubber in it (like a bush or an arm) then dont buy chinese. Chinese brake discs are very cheap, the manufacture is normally fine but the quality of the metal used is poor compared to factory eqt, the chinese discs will rust up much more quickly on a parked vehicle.

Muscle-Manta · Post by **Muscle-Manta** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 2:31 pm

On the subject of Chinese parts and quality. I was once told be the MD of an engineering firm after a procurement visit to China, that he could have the parts he wanted made by the same Chinese company varying in price and quality by over 300 percent. If you want cheap they can make cheap or quality if you want quality. It's all down to how much you want to pay for manufacture.

The problem arises when the cheap and nasty is retailed by the unscrupulous at a huge mark up near the retail price of the quality parts.

Richard P6 · Post by **Richard P6** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 3:57 pm

I have been given adhesive samples from China which were very good. But when you order them, the quality can vary from batch to batch.

I would never buy goods from there now

Richard P6 · Post by **Richard P6** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 4:10 pm

linzerl wrote:Do the cheap rockers still have 602153/4 stamped on them making it hard to distinguish between OEM and genuine?

I'm getting paranoid reading this thread!!

Is a paranoid, half robot and half parrot?

Seight-V8 · Post by **Seight-V8** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:26 pm

i learnt the hard way also...

Got a set of steel ones from ebay for about 70 quid....

Then i found out that only less than 25% of the rocker was contacting the valve stem head....

When i looked at the faces they werent ground square to the valve....

So only very little contact was been made....

Managed to get some fed mogel steel ones next though for £50....

Much better quality and i got the oil hole welded up.

Should last longer too....if a little noiser than normal...

I think if you buy from a reputible seller you should have no problems.

Put my cheap steel ones in the bin...so 70 quid wasted.

scott

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