The V8 Owners Forum -

Trying to dismantle some rocker assemblies and the pedestals were a really tight fit on the rocker shafts - the only way to get them off was with a puller which isn't something I've come across before.
The new shafts wouldn't push into the pedestals so I checked the holes and they're all oval, as if the pedestal bolts were overtightened without a shaft in place.
The new shafts measured up at the right size so its not down to having bought oversized shafts.
I tried squeezing the sides in a vice but although I could then slide a shaft in, when the vice was released I couldn't move the pedestal on the shaft.
I tried squeezing a bit more and the pedestal cracked on one side front to back at 9 o'clock (or 3 if you look at the other side) if you see what I mean, but the shaft then slid in no problem.
So, any ideas whats happened to distort the holes and can I use them if they're cracked?

I have never come across this before, most peculiar.

I wouldn't use a cracked pedestal. Just get some more pedestals, I would expect them to be cheap, or get a scrap engine and just salvage the pedestals from it!

Chris.

I have heard that the holes can go oval due the the bolt head pulling down on the top of the pedestal. The normal route to get them off is the squeeze them in a vice like you did, unfortunately in your case the pedestal then cracked! I guess a more gentle squeeze maybe with a bit of warmth from a heat gun might do the trick!

Edit, Like Chris said, don't use it if its cracked, it is likely to fail at a most inconvenient time!

Thanks for the replies guys, looks like I'll be putting in a wanted ad for another set of pedestal then.

Its normal they have oval holes.
Always need a vice to get them of and on to new shafts.
Even Real Steel will tell you so.

Nothing to worry about.

Ratwing, how many pedestals do you need, i've got that many rover spares i'm bound to have a few good ones knocking about.

Ben.

Cheers Ben, pm sent