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Today I'm investigating why some of my rocker arms have excessive side clearance on the shaft. #2 exhaust must have 3/16" side-to-side movement. There is a washer/shim to the outside of each pair of rocker arms that is in contact with the cotter pin retainer. The washer has worn into some of the cotter pins causing excess clearance. The #2 exhaust cotter pin is more than half worn away.
If my engine is correct, what's supposed to keep this wear from happening? Is there a side clearance spec?
I also have play between some of the rockers and the shaft so I know I need to replace the bushins or shaft - or both. I want to deal with the side clearance at the same time.
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From your description I can't tell if you have the spring between #2&3 and #6&7?  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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There's no springs on my rocker shafts. I don't see a spring in the Parts List either. I don't know what a spring would do anyway because there's a cotter pin in the way.
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Sounds like someone assembled your rocker arms and springs who did not only fail to put in the springs, but didn't even suspect he needed them. If you are still having problems, I will email a picture of the proper assembly of the 4-cylinder rockers and shaft.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Ray, The only spring that i can find in the parts book is 337214 , which doesn't appear until the 1924 parts book, but is listed as common to Four-ninety and superior models.
JACK
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That probably explains why the cotter key rather than the two springs. Gotta take a look at my 490 tomorrow.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Maybe the cotter pin wear problem inspired Chevy to add the springs. I'd be curious to hear from other 490 owners if their rocker shafts have springs.
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My 1922 had no springs. A couple of years ago I had the shafts machined and new bushings made. I had no springs, so I used washers and cotter pins. So far I haven't noticed any excessive wear, but the side play is noticable. If I knew the specifications of the springs I would buy a couple and use them next time I assemble the rocker arm bridges.
Per-Åke Larsson
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Larsson - Bob Kerr's photos of his Dad's 10K mile '21 490 also show no springs. Since I want to keep my engine appearance stock, I'll stick with the cotter keys and washers. New cotter pins every few years will become part of my regular maintenance. 
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My rocker arm photo disappeared already but somebody (Jack?) asked for the casting dates on my engine.
Head: 3 4 19
Block: 11 6 18
Flywheel stamp: B91723
According to Ken Kaufman, my engine was built in the last few months of 1918 based on the flywheel stamp. So the head must have been replaced at some point.
My car serial number is 337397 which Ken says was built in September of 1919 at the St Louis plant. I don't know whether my engine was swapped in later on, or if my engine sat around the plant for 10 months waiting to go in the car. I suppose it's also possible the head swap was done at the factory. Who knows???
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Thanks , it was me that asked. Your picture is still there , but you need to click on the dates box which allows you to see further back in the pictures archives, they are always still there.
JACK
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I learn something new every day!
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Here is a picture of Solan's engine. http://s889.photobucket.com/albums/ac98/solan1916/solan%20engine/Greetings from Solan: Happy New Year to all of you from all of us!   
Solan G, # 32797
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Solan, All of the illustrations in the 490 owners manuals show cotter pins and washers for the centre retainers and not springs.
JACK
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Solan - I agree with Jack. Everything I've seen indicates springs were not used on 490 rocker arm shafts. Somebody must have installed those later. Not a bad idea though. I'll post a photo showing the wear on my cotter pins. I'm going to rebuild my rocker arms/shafts and stick with cotter pins. Regular cotter pin replacement is the only remedy I can think of to keep the original appearance.
BTW: Solan's coil looks just like mine - with no knob on top.
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Solan,
I noticed in your picture of your engine there is a primer cup that looks like it is on the oil line to the oil pump. Obviously, to prime the oil pump after a long period without use. My question is that original or something you added or bought the car with? Interesting idea.
Cheers,
Gary
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Solane's coil is mounted 180 out. Also he is missing the resistive unit (the round thing) that mounts on top. The purpose of the resistive unit is to protect the coil in case the ignition is left on and car not running. It also allows full voltage to the coil when running. A picture of the correct mounting of the coil is in the 1919 repair manual on page 130. The only car that does NOT use the resister on the coil is the "double contact system" used on the early 490s.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Solan's coil should be mounted with a clamp band half way up the coil, similar to a hose clamp with screw. The screw should be positioned about 45 degrees out from the block at the rear side. The cap and extended bolts used on Solan are not the correct parts.
The correct part is H-600 .
Ray, the engine shown on page 130 of the 1919 repair manual is actually an F or FA series engine, because the engine has a forward crossover for the distributor advance and retard, which the 490 engine does not have.
JACK
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Page 43 of the undated Instructions for the Operation and Care of Model "Four Ninety" Motor cars, fits your description of the coil installation. So Sloan's don't fit either depiction of the coil. After much looking around I finally found that the Repair Manual I referenced in an earlier post covers the 490, G, FA, FB, and T.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Ray, On the back of the instructions booklet , there is a date and printing number, Mine is 100M 4-15-16 which i think is March 15th 1916.
Cover says Chevrolet Motor company of St. Louis , St. Louis MO.
The illustration on page 5 shows the False door on the LH side of the 1916 model.
JACK
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Solan G, # 32797
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My copy is Chevroloet Motor Company, of New York, Inc, 57 st and 11th Ave, New York City. Date Code: 100-M-6-1-16
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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No springs on my new 21 490 15K mile car either. Also no wear on the cotter pins.I would say don't be shy with the oil on the shaft. Yes it makes a mess but if it stops undo wear it is worth it. An earlier post mentioned a primer cup on the oil pump. My Olds truck has one and the original owner added it for exactly what was said, to prime the pump when it sat for a long time. I use it every spring whether I need to or not. My truck uses an old threaded type grease cup with a shut off valve mounted below to keep air from getting sucked in the intake of the pump. Fill cup with oil, turn valve to let oil run into pump and shut off valve, good to go.
28 Chevy LO Capitol 1 ton, 28 National 2 dr coach, 71 Chevy Custom Camper 3/4 ton. Also 23 Oldsmobile Economy truck and a 24 Olds sport touring.
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I'll be shipping my rocker arms and shafts to rockerarms.com (Formerly Rocker Arm Specialist) in Anderson, CA for rebuild. They have experience with 490s. They e-mailed this comment about my worn cotter pins: Odds are pretty high that the rocker is not squared off and is adding stress that is wearing the cotter pins. We do square the rockers off when we work on them so the problem will go away.
Their price estimate in case you're interested: Base price is $175.00. The possibility exists of further work needed, depending on the severity of damage to the arms, we generally see minute cracks in those particular arms at the shaft. Welding may be needed. The tips are also difficult to handle, so a lot will depend on what is seen when they arrive. Additional labor would be subject to $75/hr. Approximate turn around time would be about a month (we are at the mercy of our chrome plater).
I'll let you know how it turns out.
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I received my rebuilt rocker arms and shafts from rockerarms.com today, and I couldn't be more pleased. Rebuilt Rocker Arms & Shafts New rocker shafts, new bushings, new pins, resurfaced rocker tips - plus springs that I didn't have before - all for $175. They are so smooth - I hate to mount them out in the road dirt again.
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