Touch control rockshaft clearance

[Nautiluscont]

I recently added touch control hydraulics to my 48 cub. Everything works well, however, the front rockshaft clearance on the right side (from seated looking forward) seems to be pretty tight... About a strong 1/8" as shown in the attached photo. It doesn't rub the gas tank but certainly is close. Is this normal? Is the clearance adjustable? The other side has a strong 3/4 clearance.
Thanks in advance

[Bill V in Md]

On the car carburetor side, I have 3/4” clearance, and a tad less than 1/4” on the opposite side. Those clearances may vary a little depending how straight the Rockshaft attachment arms are as well as sides of the hood. I do not see a lot of adjustment.

[Gary Dotson]

They're usually pretty close, on the right side and no adjustment that I am aware of. One of mine had a gouge in the side of the tank, from an errant cotter pin.

[Dale Finch]

Seems like the only "adjustment" would be the two bolts holding the rear tank support/instrument panel. If there is ANY play in the bolt hole in the 2 base bolts, you might try loosening those 2 bolts (not an easy task in itself!), then retighten while pushing the tank/hood to the left.

Those 2 bolts and the 2 at the top of the radiator channels are all that control the tank position...and the front needs to be centered on the radiator neck.

[Urbish]

Seems like the only "adjustment" would be the two bolts holding the rear tank support/instrument panel. If there is ANY play in the bolt hole in the 2 base bolts, you might try loosening those 2 bolts (not an easy task in itself!), then retighten while pushing the tank/hood to the left.

It is possible that the dash is bent sideways which would also skew the fuel tank to the right. The bottom of the dash where it meets the clutch housing is a frequent rust point which weakens it. Some of them also crack where they meet the clutch housing which exacerbates the problem.

[Nautiluscont]

Great advice. I was thinking the same about the dash/tank support and if that would allow it to align better. I actually have a long eared dash (a mismatched short eared one was installed at some point) that hopefully one day will arrive via USPS... When I replace it, I will see if I can align it better to gain some additional clearance.

Thanks for the help....

[Nelson 634]

It may be the picture. But I enlarged it on the computer and it appears the be off from the upright portion in the picture. Could have been bent at some point in time maybe by PO or even two back. Measure how far out at shaft vs. at the end. Should tell you if its bent.

[Glen]

Hi,
It's possible the rockshaft arm is bent, if it is, you could remove the rockshaft and take it to a press and straighten the arm.
To check it, you could remove whatever implement is connected on the arm, so it is just the bare arm, and use a long straight edge held on the right side of the short part of the arm, and see if the long part of the arm is straight or bent.
That is supposing the short part of the arm is not bent.

If it's not bent, you could try loosening the 4 bolts that hold the Touch Control to the clutch housing, with no implement making weight on the rockshaft, and see if it will move to the right any. It's not real likely, but possible.

If you don't mind changing the dash slightly, maybe it would work to remove the dash, and file the 2 holes for the bolts that hold it onto the clutch housing, so the dash will move to the left some.
Use a round file that mostly fills the holes.
I don't know how that will work with the front hood attaching brackets and bolts.
Maybe after taking the 2 bolts out that hold the dash to the housing, and the 4 screws still in place, and tight that hold the hood to the dash, loosen the hood bolts at the front, and see if the hood will move to the left at the rear with no problems.
Just an idea.