Im sealing up a "low mile" motor ive had sitting for a few years. Its very clean. I now realize its so clean because its been tampered with. The rocker arms are swapped LH an RH. They are on the wrong sides. I also noticed one of them is missing the spring washers. It looks as tho it really doesnt matter which side the rocker arm assembly is bolted. Is there a difference? Ive never mixed them up befor.

Also its been ran without the spring washers, is this really a big deal? I do have another rocker arm assy if needed but I dont want to waiste any more time here if I dont have too.

 

This engine seems to have some crank shaft thrust play as well (crank moves a bit from front to back of engine). Ive seen this befor and im not too concerned about it but wondering what the experts say?

I have seen them installed both ways many times. I am sure it isn't correct but it does seem to work. Perhaps someone knows the exact difference? Crankshaft end-play is common on the older engines that were used with a manual transmission due to the repeated pressure from using the clutch.

Edited March 8, 201511 yr by Crazyeights

It would have been less confusing to lable front instead of left/right. Its a mistake ide not have made but ITs an easy one to make. There is a defference in assembly on the rocker arms front to back, the alignment could only be off slightly if at all. I wonder if it throws of the pushrods or maybe had more to do with oiling? Theres a reason they labeled them im sure.

Im probably gunna pull them replace the missing spring washers and reassemble them on the correct sides. I think the head gasket will survive the 2 bolts being out for 20 mins.

I have some extra parts for these if you need some rocker arm bits 

Kinda funny, as im looking in the manual for the head bolt torque spec i see the diagram for for the rocker assembly. Of corse it was different than what I had just done. Just starting to think man im losing it, then i noticed that it was for the ea71. So to further add confusion the ea71 and ea81 share a diagram and they are not the same.

Oh and thank you crazyeights! I had a couple rusting in a bag.