Tom's roller rockers question

You might be on to something here. The rockers, shafts and bottoms look really close to the Buicks valve train. Vet

 

So what is it that you did for work Vet?

I worked at a place that machined alot of plastics. Yup plastics are a weird material to work with. PVC's and G1o obviously was tough on tooling and a few others which was so long ago I can't remember. The soft ones though you could use a razor blade for a cutoff and the cut off tooling had alot more angle to it. At times the drills were just 1/2 drills for the chips to come out easier.
It sure was alot cleaner to work with as no need for heavy machining oils like sulfur or even non sulfur oils.
Plastic parts changed dimensions alot from how they came of the machining process.
The Delrin, Nylon, Polypropylenes etc. were the biggest post machining dimension shifters.
Not saying anything that machinists don't know.

Thing is you had to first machine about 10 pieces and then put it in your schedule to wait till the next day to see just how much the pieces shrunk or expanded. Then you machined it to the tolerances you think were needed so the pieces settled to the right dimensions at all areas of the piece. It was at times a little nerve racking and not a science. If they had to go out pronto then you maby had 4 hours to adjust.

This one place used alot of Argon? or Argol? mixed with water on plastics, especially the light colored ones.
Yes lathes, automatic screw machines that had 6 or 8 station turrets, or even 3 Axis CNC style machines and etc. have built in internal oiling systems but they still rely alot on the cutting oil splashing and keeping everything lubed.
Using this argon/water would wear out the bronze gibs slides etc. constantly and the the gibs and slides had to be re surfaced at least 2 or 3 times a year.
It sure was nice though not coming home smelling like cutting oil.

 

So for those of you running the aftermarket roller rockers are you also enlarging the holes. Were none of the aftermarket roller rockers made with the proper offset?I remember reading when they were all the rage that they were plug and play.

 

I would love someone to chime in on your question.
I was wondering the same thing. Vet

 

Maybe it's an optimal elusion, the first pic looks like the pushrods are at an angle. Vet

 

TA’s roller rockers have the proper offsets as pictured.

 

Larry’s picture shows TA’s rockers have the offset.

 

It’s the camera lens making them look angled

 

Thanks, I was wondering if that was the case. Vet

 

I have been thinking about Larry's roller rockers having the off-sets required for Buick 455 engines.

My question, what manufacturers make roller rockers with off-sets for the Buick 455 engine????

Or are these rocker arms "custom" fabricated???? Vet

 

TA “knows” Buick engines, those rockers Larry has are TA’s, as well as mine.
Most anything non stock for Buick V8’s has to be custom made, hence the higher price tag plus most people don’t build them and buy the “custom” speed parts that drives up price because it’s low volume unlike Chevy stuff that you can buy at the 7 Eleven on the corner

 

That said, is TA had to close its doors, we Buick guys would
be in serious shape.

Wow, what a shortage of aftermarket parts for Buicks.

I wonder why their are complains about TA?

Can they not build parts fast enough?

They don't have enough machinist to keep up with part requests?

I'am not understanding what the short-falls are?

I would think, there are more than enough Buick owners to keep TA busy for years.

Someone please educate me on these issues, and thank you. Vet

 

Years ago I remember reading in TA’s catalog they sell a lot of their girdled axle covers to Ford or for Fords, same with the GM covers, guess that’s their bread and butter from how I understand it.
I’m sure TA will drop the Buick stuff eventually as we get older and die off and no younger than us people pick up on the car hobby.
It’s going to happen to other brands too as it gets more cost prohibitive to hot rod/customize anything.
This hobby is becoming a privilege to the elite few.

 

Ever since I bought a Buick Rocker arm from Jegs, I've been getting a ton of their sales Ads.

I'm amazed at all the parts for Chevy's you can get from Jegs. I can almost build a car from their parts inventory.
Can't do that with a Buick.

You are right-on, eventually all the classic cars will die out. All you have to do is going to car shows and see what age goes with what car and truck.

Mostly the old guys sitting in their lawn chairs with their 30's, 40's 50's 60's and 70's classic or muscle cars.

The young guys are into the rice burners, Corvettes, modern Mopars and Mustangs.
I won't be alive to see that day. Vet

 

Folks,
Our main product line is our BUICK parts. The rear end girdles are the BEST out there and I enjoy making them, but we sell more Buick parts than rear end girdles. As long as I'm here I have no plans on "dropping the Buick stuff". I do wish my son's were into this like I am, but wishes don't always come true I have been blessed with great children. which I'm thankful. We now have some pretty cool grand children. Which were even more thankful.
No one knows what time will bring, but I do know that hope is always there. I have also learned to "Never say Never". For now, I'm doing the best I can, still at it 7 days a week. Also picking away at the wagon.
Folks,
Your business is very important to us here at TA.
Please remember that.

 

I can tell you from my end, I appreciate hearing your confidence and ability to supply Buick items to your customer base and to hear you and your company are keeping BUICK, your #1 business line.

I have bought a lot of TA products from your company and plan to continue to do so as long as those items are in stock and being manufactured at a high quality.

Thank you for supporting our
classic Buick requirements/needs and wants
Long live Buicks. Your customer, Vet

 

TA is not just another business that makes and deals with parts, TA is Buick Family first.

We are blessed and privileged to have them, as we are many others that provide the many needs.

 

Yup. The more they suck, the better they are.