Dr. Destructo blows a rocker apart

[phobos512]

[White64Goat]

Shit must be getting serious now...........Formula 1 Tyres...............

[mike the snake]

One of the main reasons I went with the Element Tuning Hydra Standalone and Hydramist meth injection was that Phil took the time to answer my questions thoroughly and was very knowledgeable on everything FA20.

I'm a very happy customer. I think more people should consider running the Hydra Standalone.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by dwx

I wish I could find evidence from more than just my memory but I vaguely remember hearing about this happening on a couple cars, even a stock one. Or maybe that was the rocker itself breaking, can't remember.

I know my dealer has seen broken valve springs and then broken valves which can spit the rocker out. I can see a case if using a factory valvetrain that you could float a vakve at 9k rpm and spit the rocker.

In my case the pin the roller rides on physically walked out. Our spring seat pressure really isn't very high in terms of a high performance engine so this isn't a case of too much of a good thing. Oiling was also good and no signs of galling or excessive heat.

Purely a case of a factory part fail in a high performance application. We'll address this on any new builds from here on regardless of this possibly being an isolated insident.

Thanks,
Phil Grabow

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by phobos512

I straight up can't help myself running the gears as this motor is downright nasty at 9k! We will make it reliable as it's just too good to resist.

[AZFA20]

I haven't seen the pins walk out yet on the FA20 rockers but I have seen plenty of the FA20 rockers being shot out of their homes.

[jdcorbitt3]

I have heard of rotor bearings creeping, particularly in the 13,000rpm range on rotaries. this is due to hitting the resonant frequency of the rotor assembly. the fix was to drill and tap the bearing and rotor and run an allan screw in it.
i suspect you might be hitting harmonic resonance of a part in the rocker arm, like maybe the roller pin.
It is amazing to see all the component movement in a high pressure engine like yours. some aircraft engines like the BR710 have a regime where extended time in that regime will cause damage and ultimate failure.

john

[Calum]

Originally Posted by AZFA20

I haven't seen the pins walk out yet on the FA20 rockers but I have seen plenty of the FA20 rockers being shot out of their homes.

With this type of valve train valve tip height is exceptionally important when you increase the redline. That said, as long as the valves are ground to the correct height when installed after cutting the seats and lapping, it shouldn't be an issue.

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

Its a pretty common issue with these motors.

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[spitfire481]

I've seen them blow through the valve cover at high revs/power with stock springs, but never with upgraded springs

[Dipstik-sportech]

Did you find out if it damaged any internals yet?

[humfrz]

If the others stayed in place ...... maybe this one just wasn't pressed in correctly ... ??


humfrz

[Dezoris]

Are those rollers swedged on both sides or just one? How much more valve spring pressure is on tbose stock rockers? At the level you are at could be a rocker issue with the higher rpm or just the rollers not pressed properly. ID want to see the other rollers as well.

Good luck regardless.

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

Are those rollers swedged on both sides or just one? How much more valve spring pressure is on tbose stock rockers? At the level you are at could be a rocker issue with the higher rpm or just the rollers not pressed properly. ID want to see the other rollers as well.

Good luck regardless.

Stock spring pressure is very very soft, to the point that opening them is easily done with a finger


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