VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 Rocker Arms

I'm going through my valvetrain parts and I have several sets of rebuilt rocker arms but they are all newer versions than my original 1938 rockers. The newer version arms are freshly machined with fresh adjusters so I thought I might like to use them in my 1938 engine.

The original 1938 rocker arms are flat on the top and the newer versions are built up more on top to form an arch. The newer ones look more durable.

The rocker angles look the same between the old and new styles and the shaft sizes look the same. I could see no difference besides being "beefier".

The newer version rockers are 41-53ish vintage. Any issues with using these newer version rocker arms on my 1938 shafts?

Thanks

The 1941-53 216 arms will not work. First off there is a left and right (with different angles) for the exhaust. The 1937-40 have one only and it goes straight to the valve stem rather than angling off to one side. Their general bend is differet also. To quote the 1941 engineering "Rocker arms are designed with an off set to meet the new valve locations". They will fit the shaft, no problem. The 1941 and up arms had no bushing but used a new semi-cast steel material to resist wear. If you have rebuilts bushings may have been installed.
I may have some new 1937-40 arms but not all.

Thanks.

I'd simply grabbed a few and only looked at angles, not the valve positions.

I like originality so after I posted this last night I started thinking I'd prefer knowing I had the proper ones in there anyway. I think I have lots of arms that are good fitting, I just need to get the ends dressed...

Thanks again.