Race engine : winter storage

[andyrob]

Does anyone back the rocker shafts off over the winter when not in use ??
Just my B1 engine snapped a spring first time out this year:

2 trains of thought:
A spring is a spring & even though it may stay compressed for some time, its desgined to be

A compressed spring will not be as efficient if left in a compressed state for long periods of time (dont know why: but you always wind your torque wrench off after use : dont you ?)

anybodys views ?

[Cannonball]

HI Andy,
yes back your rockers off it is a good thing, if i am honest i never do and have not had an issue but i always do the valve lash at the end of the season and cover everything top end in a squirt of fresh oil,
the main issue i hate the thought off is the condensation that our mechanical parts are subjected to in our climate dry/wet/dry/wet we have all seen it and this does go on inside our engines

[mopar_mark]

Andy,
I used to back my springs off on my B1, I had K1,000 Springs & the strain on the shafts when undoing was probably more of a hassle than taking the chance of leaving springs under load.

I was running standard B1 Shafts & Rockers, most likely less of a problem if running aftermarket valve gear or less spring pressure

[Mick]

If you dont Andy, you could always turn the motor over, once ever few weeks. What are your spring pressures, i presume you've got quite a big roller in it.
Mick

[Anonymous]

Hi Andy and All,

Yep a compressed spring will weaken over time.
Easy option is to turn the motor to a different position every week or so.
Strange as this is though, most engines stop in the same place every time you switch them orf so the same springs are always compressed.

Its the condensation in the bores that is the biggest worry followed by rust on the valve and seat faces too, especially exhaust, more open to the elements!

So if you live on top of a mountain or near the sea then releasing the rockers is a must!!!

Bacca.