So I was not totally sure where else this thread would have gone, I am new to the car scene and had a question about a head I recently got.

So I turned the head upside down to check for bent valves and what not and 2 of the rocker arms fell out, they fell pretty much in place of where they were in the head. What I am getting at is do they need to be placed in the exact spot they were in to begin with? Or can they be out of order with no problems?

I have seen a couple of these threads but no direct answers. Thanks!

 

They don't have to be in any specific order. Just make sure to set valve lash after reinstalling the head.

 

Thanks a ton. I kind of figured it would be fine, seeing some threads of people driving with their rocker arms being completely removed and what not.

 

Driving with them removed is...not what I would call fine. I'm just going from experience - I have a few boxes full of rocker arms that I've mixed and matched to build perfectly fine running engines before. As long as the bearing surface is equally worn, you're fine.

 

haha no I do not think that driving with it missing is fine or normal but my concern was or is will it damage my head? I have a guy that will be inspecting the head itself and I will see what he can tell me as far as the bearing surface being equally worn.

 

Nah, it won't damage the head as long as you set valve lash correctly. You don't even need any special tools (or even special eyes) to inspect the bearing surface on the rocker arms. As long as they look smooth, without pits, gouges, cuts, or scrapes, you're fine.

 

Oh then I am pretty sure, not positive without taking them all off. But they should be fine. Thanks for the help hard to get it these days.

 

Just make sure to set valve lash after reinstalling the head.