Upon adjusting the valves. I noticed that a couple spot welds on the rocker arms contacting the inner sleeve were broken. My friend helping me is a fine mechanic but the kind of mechanic you want with you when you're on the side of a road in a desert not in a race pit. That being understood, he said, "you should reweld that."
I ask, "shouldn't I replace it?"
"No. Just weld it"
At this stage of the story I'll point out I'm pretty mediocre with a stick welder. Is it dumb to not just go to the junk yard?

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I'm pleased with myself for giving a damn.

If you have ready access to good used rockers, go that route.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

... I have seen SL6 engines "run forever" like that...
If you see the inner sleeve get "rattle-around" loose and start to move side-to-side, thru the arm's body, then it needs changing.

The bad news, usually the shaft has run dry at some point and is gulled-up on the inside, when I see broken welds at the rocker arm's pivot tube.

You may want to get yourself a new or rebuilt rocker shaft assemble, to swap-onto the engine.
DD

Thanks guys. That was the exact advice I was looking for. 2 are sloppy side to side. One only makes contact on half the valve.
Doc, you pointed out that it may have run dry at some point and may be gulled up, that's not unlikely. This engine hasn't had an easy life. I have had the opportunity to undo some questionable doings. Now I just have to figure out how far back to take the repair. I'll do some research here on the forum to figure out my options. I'm sure I'm going to replace the whole assembly. But if I'm knee deep in it...

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I'm pleased with myself for giving a damn.