Need some V8-60 Smith Jiggler help!!! I have tried and tried but I can’t figure out what the rocker arms in a Smith Jiggler OHV conversion came from. They appear to be modified from a mass production valve train of some kind. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have several sets of heads that I am trying to get back in running condition.
Have you tried the Speedway Museum? A HAMBer named Jenn's dad used to be in charge of the exhibit restorations. He even gave us a quick behind the scenes tour to see the shelves of rare parts (it looked a lot like your shelves there). Search for Jenn and send her a PM.
Sometimes it is not so much hoarding as it is rescuing stuff that would otherwise end up in the trash. This is particularly true with garage and estate sales where people have no idea what they have. It can be a challenge to find someone that actually wants to use the stuff, because the level of interest can be very small.
I wish I had rescued them from an estate sale they would have been cheaper. Instead they were rescued from the dusty shelves of long time collectors. I say rescued because they weren’t ever going to be rebuilt and used.
what OHV engines were around when first designed? looks a bit aircraftie. With a torrington bearing I don't think that's a production auto part, it could have been bushed once though. Take one into someone whos good with CNC and have them made from forged material. Try a local metalwork/machining page on facebook and ask for someone who loves doing this stuff and has the right gear. I'm having a rare part fixed by going this way , commercial would have been stupid expensive.
It’s a long shot, but you might try posting over on the Ford Barn. They belong in the early v8 section, but I’d put them in the late v8 also. There’s a member there with a lot of aviation background. If those rockers were aircraft, there’s a long shot he might know something.
^^^^^ To add "Smith hired aircraft engineer Pete Leonard"... read more here > https://www.motortrend.com/news/hrxp-1111-tiny-smith-flathead-ford-jiggler-v8-60/
Hey, EoWV; If you have the time, would you do top n bottom shots of the rocker? Some very rough dimensions would help, like, say; length, width(s), rocker-shaft dia incl ID of the bearing bore, lift ratio(s) on both sides. A useable replacement rocker might be around, esp if a little bit of machining can be done. My 1st thought was cutting some OT aftermarket rockers, although you will probably need longer pushrods w/different tips, etc. Marcus...
That article said they had some difficulty with castings at first. And those rockers look rather crude. Maybe they were special cast for Smith's heads. I bet you could have some custom made on a CNC mill rather easy. If you are lucky, there is only one profile, not rights and lefts. Pretty sure I saw a HAMBer who milled his own rockers to rebuild an ancient overhead conversion. Kevin Pharis: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/home-made-valve-covers.1218618/page-2#post-13919734
Seeing the needle bearing is interesting but I wonder if that was original. Considering how specialized this conversion is I would expect the rockers were designed for this application not an off the shelf item. Think in the ear when the conversion was made how many overhead valve engine's existed in the U.S. If it was me I would simply make them out of aluminum not very hard to do. Ronnieroadster
They look cast. You could still mill them using CNC since you already have a good one. How about a picture of the combustion chamber? Like to see how the valve is sitting.
About 20 years ago I had Harlan Sharp build me a couple of sets of shaft mounted custom rocker arms for a Ford six head with a rare crossflow cylinder head. I visited their plant in Strongsville Ohio with drawings. They found an aluminum extrusion for one of their late model products that was close enough to modify to suit. You may try Harlan Sharp. https://harlandsharp.com/
I second the post above - talk to Harlan Sharp - they make a lot of rockers for some of the "modern" banger overhead conversions. I'm sure they could make new aluminum rockers that would work well. Given the roller bearing, you might consider going to a pressurized oiling setup. I know the originals used grease, but if you wanted them to have the least number of issues (for the street), I would consider how best to oil them when talking to Harlan Sharp.
Bill Jones a San Antonio resident, who was a past Indy Car Team racer and owner from the fifties was involved with the Jiggler-Smith engine in the 1990's. A close personal friend and former employer, Jack Chisenhall acquired a lot of Mr Jones Offy and midget parts collection when Mr Jones passed in 2017. You may also attempt to contact his son Bob Jones. Both these gentlemen may have the Technical information and or correct parts you may need John Joseph Moreno
The Jalopy Journal
