# Rough running tractor... Broken rocker arm

**URL:** http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/rough-running-tractor-broken-rocker-arm/7972
**Category:** Homesteading
**Created:** [September 1, 2024, 1:43am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/rough-running-tractor-broken-rocker-arm/7972 "2024-09-01T01:43:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 1

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### Author: ![Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/user_avatar/forum.driveonwood.com/chris/32/56161_2.png) [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2024, 1:43am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/rough-running-tractor-broken-rocker-arm/7972/1 "2024-09-01T01:43:05Z")

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Calling on my tractor mechanic friends… I have a very specific issue related to a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel tractor. It has been running real rough and down on power, smoking etc. I was about to tear it all down and replace the head gasket. Instead, I found this:

 ![PXL_20240901_003727631](https://dow.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/original/3X/b/f/bfc49abdd837be3d3a65a2e737f2a1884a8b35fb.jpeg)

#4 rocker arm (intake) is broken. That sure enough explains it. But what happened?

What causes a rocker arm to break? Both valve and pushrod move freely. Did it just fail?

Also, notice the arms are stamped steel. All of the replacement parts I’m seeing online are forged / solid metal. Are they interchangeable? Was that an improvement made later on? Sure seems stronger.

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