I think I have enough chatter now to go ahead and shim the rocker arms. For those of you who have done this I need a little help. I ordered some OEM shims from Retro Cycle antique and modern motorcycle parts for a '66-'84 Shovelhead engine. I ordered .020", .015", and .010" thick shims. My question is I understand that on the exhaust side the shim is placed on the pushrod side, but I am not sure if this is the same for the intake side. The description says that you put the shims on the pushrod side so this confuses me cause from the looks of it the intake side nearest the pushrod side is the load side. I also wanted to know what is the thinnest shims you would go with and if anyone has had any problems with shims coming apart.

 

Install the shims on the sides that don't show any wear. It will be obvious. I wouldnt go any thinner than a .010 and dont make them too tight. Inspect the bushings and rocker arm plates as well.

 

Thanks man.

 

Think I have found the problem, I am at .020" on the Intake and .014" on the exhaust. I could hear the sound coming from the intake side on the front cylinder and once I got everything apart this happens to be where most of my wear is. If you still there BAGGERDSM i have another question. I want to go ahead and get .015" shims on the exhaust and intake, i am going to have to machine the rocker arm or the support plate, I am wondering what is the best method cutting the rockerarm or the support plate, and what is the min.clearance I can have between the plate and rockerarm