[Ducati] 748 Rockers

[Rich Roberts]

Barry, though I have often campaigned the only way to know for sure method is to pull cams...a thought...back almost before there was any formal talk of rocker problems, say 1995, when I did my first 916 check...one of the things that happened to me personally, all of the clearances were close enough not to sweat...except one. It was many times out of range, something like .35mm as I recall. I was to say the least perplexed. Until I pulled the cam. Pulling cams is kind of intuitive thought there are things you can do to make the work much harder. You do have to make a shaft puller and pull rocker shaft out a bit to get rocker out of the way. And then pulling cam is not a big deal after looseneing up bearing holder. But...I knew I had a problem just by feel. When you lose metal on rockers it will usually be indicated by feel and clearance even before you can lay your eyes on them. Course if you have a problem you need a solution and fortunatley these days there are several
 of those around. back in 1995 there was not. Noone had rockers on the shelf. I ended up buying a rocker from a guy who was one of the names in Ducati land, John Hoffman, from one of the crashed bikes used in the movie Fled. Only rocker to be had nationwide. was from a parted bike. Bottom line is if your clearances were fine....and nothing seemed rough when you slide feeler cauge in you likely do not have rocker problems. Does that mean laying your eyes on em is not worthwhile? No. I replaced on rocker in 20 thousand miles. I watched one for years, it had a little line on it...but never got worse. Also if you go the route of pulling cams to inspect, take so 320 grit wet/dry and take all the sharp edges off the cams. I actually cut myslef the first time I ran a finger along the edge of a cam lobe. I have always believed those sharp edges have something to do with heat and chrome failure but that is just me. Certainly making edges of cams that run on rockers smoother can not
 hurt anything, just smooth enough to your finger is all that is required. Also if I was going through all this trouble I would install Corsa clsing springs, they used to run about 10 bucks a spring. Actually springs are not essential to a running machine... or a race machine...so Corsa sprins being considerably lighter action can not hurt anything and are easier on entire valve train and certainly easier on diganosing issues with head as you can easily roll cams around by hand using them. So you can feel the tightness etc or roughness much better if clearances and  the like are not right.. 


----- Original Message ----
From: "musical at interbaun.com" <musical at interbaun.com>
To: ducati at ducati.net
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 12:43:26 AM
Subject: [Ducati] 748 Rockers


I have just finished doing my first valve Inspection, and the good 
news is all of the measurements are right on speck for both 
cylinders. The bad news is now I have to pull the cam lobes out and 
inspect the rockers . I have the Haynes and Sniders publication which 
have been a great help, but I seem to be a little confused with there 
order of steps to be taken in this procedure.  Any help would be much 
appreciated.

Barry

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