Hello;
Recently installed a new set of standard forged rocker arms in my 1965 Cooper S. I am not the original owner. Anyway, when taking apart the old bits the rocker assembly was missing the 2A18 springs that fit on the ends of the shaft. What was there on teardown were some fairly thick washers with a pretty good gap for the rocker arm to move around. Now that I have fitted the new rockers/springs/and old thick washers it's kinda tight as in needs some persuasion to get the rocker to move.
I figure the best bet is to fit less thick washers probably not a good thing to have the rockers/pushrod have constricted movement although do not want to have a big gap on the rocker shaft either.
AJ
The washers that the springs ride on are pretty thin, the springs take up the gap......so you're on the right track. BTW, from the outside it's cotter pin, thin washer, spring, rocker arm.
I seem to recall that the bushings of the forged rockers also need slight reaming to permit proper fitment.
The ones I bought from Spares fit perfectly, the ones I bought from Mini Sport and Somerford both had to be finish honed, but they would not go on the shaft till they were, so there was no forcing them on and having them be tight to the shaft.
FWIW finally able to replace the washers on #1 & #8 - the parts sites list them as .040" thick so I found some steel 9/16" by 18 gauge (approximately .045") washers at the hardware store, rockers move freely now.
thanks again for your help,
AJ