Rocker shaft questions- Are both ends suppose to be plugged?

[jjs2800cs]

We are replacing the head on our 2800cs. All 4 of the old shafts are plugged on both ends. All 4 outboard ends have threaded plugs, and all the inboard ends (where they meet in the middle of the head) have pressed in solid plugs. Also the old shafts have but the one oil flow hole at each rocker, apparently an older design.

The replacement head shafts are only plugged at the outboard ends, with just one outboard side having a threaded plug, the other outboard side has a pressed in solid plug. But the inner ends of all 4 rockers shafts are not plugged, are not internally threaded, and show no evidence they were ever plugged? The replacement head shafts are of the updated design in that they have the two oil holes at each rocker. See the picture from the CS manual.

So what do I have here? Should not all 4 shafts be plugged on both ends. Why the difference? Seems like the inner ends should be plugged.

Help?

thanks
jjs2800cs

 

[jjs2800cs]

We were able to contact a E9 M30 specialist to get some advice on our question.

Apparently the newer style rocker shafts eliminated the plugs on the inner side of the shafts. We are guessing the lack of end plugs may have something to do with the fact the newer shafts have the two horizontal oil feed holes, but that is only speculation on our part. We were advised to use the newer shafts.

Here is the text accompanying the above photo from the CS manual, but is does not reference the plugs or lack of them.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Important:The design of the rocker arms and rocker arm
shafts has been changed.
Previous design: Rocker arm without sleeve
Width of cam follower (A = 12 mm; 0.4724")
Hole in rocker arm shaft for oil flow facing downwards.
New design: Rocker arm with sleeve (1)
Width of cam follower (A = 11 mm; 0.4331")
Two horizontal holes in rocker arm shaft (2) for oil flow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Has anyone who recently replaced their head noticed this?

Thanks
jjs2800cs

 

[pat cooks]

the outer ends, especially the front, need to be plugged otherwise the oil and pesssure escapes the inner ends do not need to be plugged as they just connect to the other shaft on that side, not sure but does one rear end need to be unplugged to provide oil to the pressure switch? 20 years since I personally rebuilt one of these, I was the boss, had staff to do the work!

 

[jjs2800cs]

I can answer questions on the outer rear ones being plugged with regard to the oil pressure sensor.
All four of mine were plugged in the head we are replacing, and the sensor worked fine. Thanks for the reply.
Jjs2800cs

 

[pat cooks]

I have forgotten more than I ever knew about BMW's................ I do remember we had bent brackets made to hold the alloy plugs into the shafts when they used to fall out of the front and rub on the sprocket, pop them back in, undo one head bolt and put the bent angle bit on to stop it happening again, still have some somewhere!