PART 11 - Rocker Geometry - How to Build a CB Performance 2017cc Builder’s Choice VW Engine

Here I'm setting up the rocker geometry on my 2017cc CB Performance Builder's Choice Engine Kit. I'm also cutting the push rods to length. This is the first time I've ever done either of these procedures. Along the way I discovered the cylinder head studs were too long and I had to cut those down too.

[@onehappykombi]

The reason I didn’t go stroker on my 1st build is so I wouldn’t have to mess with all this. Once I can learn everything else I will feel more ready to mess with adjusting push rod lenghts but it seems like you figured it out !!

[@masbeetleboy9169]

Great job with this video. You made a complex subject easier to understand.

[@aircooledanything2415]

Thanks. It's weird one, as rocker geometry is relatively simple, but there's very little info on it online.

[@Fahrfrumlosin]

@@aircooledanything2415 please give us an update good or bad, if something went wrong let us know

[@diernosaj]

Stumbled upon your build and killed some time at work and binge watched all 10 other videos in the last 2 or 3 days. Perfect timing for a new upload. pun intended. Good work man.

[@aircooledanything2415]

Hahahahaha. That's awesome. Long block assembly coming next. Which is proving to be a bit of a saga.

[@johnfreeman1189]

Thanks for the tips... Clearly explained!

[@aircooledanything2415]

Ha. Thanks. That's great to hear.

[@mikehammer4546]

Great job of explanations rocker geometry. Here’s a thought on deburring the push rods. Take the push rod a chuck it up in your drill motor and spin it like a drill on your file and see how that works.

[@aircooledanything2415]

That's a good idea. I'll try that on the next one.

[@a080867]

Great job

[@bedlamite42]

This is much easier if you take off the valve spring and use a light spring designed for checking geometry.

[@aircooledanything2415]

Yeah I’ve seen that somewhere. I’ll have a hunt around and see if I can buy one. Not seen them for sale anywhere.

[@scottalvey1787]

Great job, I’m building my engine as well and ran into this same issue. How’d you determine the initial push rod length? And what was the final shim thickness?

[@kombikevo]

Make an adjustable pushrods to use as a trail and error until you get a length that works, then cut all pushrods that length to suit

[@charliemessenger6537]

An idea on installing the rod end, make a bench top press from channel iron with a horizontal base and a 2 inch upright at each end. Use an old lifter or some type of cup at each end. Drill a hole in one end, weld on a nut and use a bolt against one of the lifters to slowly drive in the rod end. Very controllable unlike a hydraulic press. I’m not explaining it very well but I think you get the idea. I don’t like the idea of hammering machine parts together 😖

[@aircooledanything2415]

That's a really nice idea. Screwing it in that would 100% be the best route. If you cut the top off the lifter you could clearly see the progress of the end as it's pressed in.

[@bedlamite42]

I prefer heavy duty aluminum pushrods from aircooled dot net over CrMo. They are quieter, adjust just like stock, and lighter so they can handle higher RPM with the same valve springs.

[@aircooledanything2415]

Next motor I’ll go that route. 👍

[@1965mt]

at the 7:00 mark the slit is facing the lifters but at the 30:50 mark the slit is facing away. i dont know why it matters but the manual i have says they should face the pistons

[@1965mt]

something that i noticed with mine that would be easy to miss, the shims will force you to screw out the two studs until the shoulder is proud of the shims like it would be screwed all the way in without the shims. by the height of the threads above the rocker arm it appears you have done this as well

[@aircooledanything2415]

We’ll that’s a great observation. I’ll take the assembly apart and investigate. 👍

[@aircooledanything2415]

Thank you.

[@1965mt]

you are welcome but all the thanks go to you for taking the time to make these videos. great job!

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

👍

[@bedlamite42]

39:55 don't crush your pushrods. At the very least, drill a hole in a block of soft wood that they just barely fit in, then saw the block in half so you have fitted soft jaws.

[@aircooledanything2415]

That’s a neat idea. Ideally I’d use a lathe. But that’s a solid alternative idea. Thanks

[@patrickmclaughlin6013]

maybe I had some cheap version of those ball swivels, I had them roll over and stick on the ball side I got some of the dreaded elephant foot swivels, see how long those last I should probably just stick with the stock tapits

[@aircooledanything2415]

Hey Patrick. I had exactly the same problem when I built up the long block and bolted them down in anger - balls rolled over and got stuck. I'll be posting that little adventure in the next few days. They were a total pain in the arse, but nowhere near as bad as the pushrod tubes which caused me days of strife hahahahahha.

[@jamesaschebrock1186]

Are you done with that engine yet??? I’m getting video withdrawals, please post more

[@aircooledanything2415]

Hi, sorry for not posting for a while.I had a bit of a holiday, back at it now. Look out for a post later today. It's a bit of a monster post as the long block build had some issues, hahahahaha.

[@tospicy4ya]

Have u done the engine ?

[@aircooledanything2415]

Hi, not completly, I have been waitimng a billion years for a moustache bar.It eventually arrived and I can now sort out the oil lines. Look out for a post later today.

[@allenbrian72]

I think your dial guage needs to be on the valve not the push rod

[@kombikevo]

I was wondering why there was so much lift on that cam!

[@charliemessenger6537]

Swivel ball adjusters

[@sdfilmfolks]

Most all of this is done wrong. Sorry man.