[Aubrey N Bruneau]

I won't be using Schubecks again. I got pretty lucky this time. It happened in the middle of 3rd gear, when the engine suddenly laid down and missed. I thought I had just punctured one more rocker arm, but I DID IMMEDIATELY drop it in neutral, to idle, and shut the engine off. Coasted a 1/4 mile to where my truck / trailer was parked, and rolled right up on the trailer ! ( VERY easy loading trailer ). Pulled the cover right there, and that's when I discovered the issue with the "loose rocker".

My engine had about 2 1/2 hours on it.
Cam.. scored a bit from the edges of the lifter, but otherwise OK ( Of course it gets changed )
Cylinders... a bit of scoring opposite thrust side. It'll hone out
Pistons... skirt coating didn't hurt. I measured... should be able to prep and re-coat. ( VERY loose ! )
Oil pump... un-marked
Crank... un-marked
Bearings... I'll be changing them
Heads... untouched

I do my own work, so I never figure the HORRIBLE job it is to R&R the engine ! ( first driveshaft at transmission, then scattershield and headers, then work on engine removal !... and the engine has to be out in order to remove the pan )

So... Complete disassembly, BIG wash job... and fix it faster !
Doubt it'll be running this season though. From now on, this thing gets no money, unless it comes from something else that I sell !


Mark, this is just my take on it...
Performance advantage of the Schubecks ?
Probably 1 horsepower ( reduced friction )
Really what they do, is tolerate the ridiculous ramps on Stocker-type flat tappet cams... which are the heart of the horsepower.
Probably worth 50+ horses.

Because of course due to the Stock rules, piston-to-valve clearance is at a minimum.
Mine measured .070" on the intake, .045"+ exhauast ( cam is retarded 4 deg ).
Pistons are "clean" in the area where the exh valve gets close, but no evidence of contact.
My rocker arm "puncturing was actually more prone to the intake... the ramp on the intake lobe is a little more aggressive ).


I still have never wiped out ( or even hurt ) a cam lobe, in any engine. ( knocking on my head right now ! )


My plan is to change to the products from Performance Research. IE, tool steel lifters, steel billet cam...
that's why no-rebuild anytime soon !