Wanted-Ariel Huntmaster rockerbox

[BSA500]

I would like to try out the Huntmaster rockerbox to try too get away from the issues with the dreaded comb. Does anyone have one for a reasonable cost? or know anywhere to get one. I am based in the South east of the uk

[duTch]

I'm guessing that you pasted that about 30 seconds ago, I saw one on eBlow a little while back,maybe in the UK but as I'm in the antipodes, not so viable, but I don't think the R-box issue is all that bad,I never even new about the  'comb' till I found forum(s),there are other way that have been discussed lately..........6min,30sec..slow typer

[iansoady]

Have you just read Real Classic by the way? - there is an article about the Huntmaster there which mentions this very thing.....

[BSA500]

No I have not read that article. I have had the box off the A7 many times and the faffing about with the comb,torch and bits of wire just drives me insane. The amount of times I have head butted the frame/carb/tank just trying to see where the pushrod has ended up is huge and sore

[BSARoadRocket]

I once spoke with a serious Ariel parts collector/dealer about the idea of fitting an Ariel rocker box on an A10.  He told me that Ariel enthusiasts in the past frequently put the A10 rocker box on their Ariels because there was something about the shape of the opening in the A10 rockerbox after the valve cover was removed that made it easier to adjust the valves.  Yes getting your pushrods in the right place in an A10 is not easy, I gave up using the comb a long time ago and I just use a screwdriver to manipulate the pushrods around until they are in the right place.  I think the Ariel rocker box idea may be going backwards. 

[bonny]

I have an ariel rocker box i picked up at an autojumble years back, its reasonable condition but missing its inspection caps , i think draganfly possibly stock them but i am not sure, where the retaining studs for the caps thread into the casting aren't great but this thing is 50 years old , the rocker gear is complete. 

i would prefer parts swaps rather then just selling it , if anyone is interested pm me here.

[bonny]

more piccys

[duTch]

Maybe I should post this in a pushrod section?, but maybe I just lucked out or had tongue right the other day,as even though I think I need to strip the engine again, I decided press on and install the rocker box with pushrods and studs as a bit of a training sesh. Took about 15 minutes, no comb or special tool except for a engineers scriber with a right angle on one end(piece of wire will do- L both ends)!!  Magnet won't work on (my) dural
               Sure, the engine not in the bike and no need to fully tighten everything or adjust tappets, but wasn't all that hard and as I remember it, as I haven't done the task for probably 20 yrs?
    Just some thoughts from the exercise-
 
Make sure you know which pushrod is 'up' maybe a ex.one? 'cos they're longer and further in.

 Ensure the inlet rods are over the top of the ex. ones where you can see them(ie not caught behind).

 Back off the adjusters/locknuts, I found if the cups are too low they get caught/tangled, maybe about horizontal is ok(?)-

 Then it's just a case of lower the cover on carefully using wire/scriber/tool,and when the first rod engages wind down that adjuster a bit to take up slop?.......?
  Can't see any reason not to crank engine slowly to lift subsequent rods.......?      And then do the rest.

 These are just some ideas that I think worked for me but others may need to adapt.
 No guarantee it'll work the same for me next time either, but'll find out , Took longer to write this than to do it!!! good luck
 
  Don't forget to get the tongue right