Hey, I have read some messages about the early MEL's having valve train geometry problems. Where in the valve train would the problem lie? Is it in the rockers? I got a box of parts with the 58 I bought, and it has a set of rockers on the shafts and all of the tips pf the rockers are painted green. What would this identify?


Mark Piechowski

Well, the 58 MEL that I assebled had a surprisingly correct geometrie especially in the valve train section. Shaft nmounted rockers such as w. the MEL, FE, Chrysler etc. are not a very convenient or precise system. They are mostly not adjustable and therefore highly dependent on how exact the cilynder heads were machined. Most importantly the correct rocker tip to valve stem geometry has to be maintained. You can read various tutorials about how this would have to look like. There might be some cam grinder's tech section somewhere either on the web or in a catalog. I'm sure you'll goggle it out somewhere. Some magazines use illustrations which are a great pointer. Many FEs that I have seen needed to get their valve train whiggled into a compromise position. An other factor to deal with is proper lifter pre load. A great upgrade is to use adjustable rocker arms such as the early FE rockers or modern roller rockers for the same engine (interchange).
As for your question, other than the above mentioned inconveniencies, I don't think the MEL, FE, shaft mounted rocker system is causing too much trouble on a stock or moderate engine. On a hot application you should think about installing rocker shaft end supports.
The blue colour on your rocker tips remind me at the blue spots that were on my NOS FE Le Mans rods. Maybe it's some kind of rust protection to amke the product longer storable.

MEL had many problems in the valve train system, including valves hitting pistons, camshaft failure and incorrect geometry. This information is contained in these bulletins and I have not found a source as of yet.

Most problems were supposedly corrected by JAN 58 production.

The green paint identifies the parts as to how and when assembled to more easily trace warranty problems. There is also a red and blue sizing for many engine parts to ensure a more correct assembly.