Is this normal for an engine breaking in?

[Darwin Kuhlmann]

Hi,
I rebuilt by L36 with roller tip rockers, redone heads, push rods etc. I took the valve covers off to readjust the valve lash after 300 miles of break in on the engine. The #1 exhaust rocker is dark in color as is the retaining nut and the tip of the push rod. The same, but to a lesser degress on the #2 intake rocker. It looks like what you would see when steel gets real hot and discolors. The other rockers, nuts etc. look like new. Do I have a problem or is this what will happen to the other rockers as the engines 'seasons'?
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated and thanks in advance.
Darwin

[Joe R.]

Re: Is this normal for an engine breaking in?

Darwin,

No, it is not normal for the roller tip rocker to turn blue from heat! Here is what I would do. This is an old racers trick. Buy yourself a new pair of rockers. Take off the old rockers from the effected cylinder and inspect the valve stem and make sure it is not mushroomed (tuliped). Inspect for any abnormal wear on the rocker stud and replace if necessary. Now, take a pair of rockers from another cylinder using the exhaust on the exhaust etc. Put the new pair on the cylinder you took the rockers from. Use moly lube (the black stuff used on cams) on the tips and balls of the rockers. Adjust the valve train to specs and you should have no problem.

Regards,

JR

[Clem Z.]

Re: Is this normal for an engine breaking in?

were the parts prelubed with molycoat or camshaft break in compound before staring the engine? are these rockers getting oil now with the engine running? it may be a case of the oil slow getting to thse rockers.

[Darwin Kuhlmann]

Re: Is this normal for an engine breaking in?

everything was prelubed. There was oil on the rockers in question when I took the valve covers off. I looked at the #1 exhaust push rod and it had oil in it and no blockage that I could find( I could pass air through it ). I will run the engine and see if oil is getting up to the #1 exhaust and #2 intake.
Darwin

[Richard Hayes]

Re: Is this normal for an engine breaking in?

Darwin,

Did you prime the engine before you fired it up? That would be the only thing that I could think of. Otherwise swap the rockers around and keep a close eye on them.

Richard