Abstract: A rocker arm spring particularly adapted for use in a valve actuating mechanism of the type wherein a rocker arm is mounted to the cylinder head by means of a universal pivot and wherein an overhead cam shaft engages from above an intermediate section of the rocker arm. The universal pivot (28) includes a support socket (30) and a pivotable shaft (40), with a part-spherical convex lower end (48) of the shaft (40) received in a part-spherical concave bearing surface (38) of the support socket (30). The rocker arm spring (50) has an upper arm (56) engaging the rocker arm (24) and a lower arm (58) engaging the socket (30). The rocker arm spring (50) holds the shaft (40) and the socket (30) together without play and serves to bias the free end of the rocker arm (24) in contact with the stem of the intake or exhaust valve (12). The upper arm (56) of the spring (50) has side edges (66, 68) bent down at a right angle along bending lines (X--X, Y--Y) to increase the flexural rigidity of the upper arm.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism for a valve system such as an intake or exhaust valve assembly including a spherical projection provided on a rocker arm and a support member having a downwardly concave support surface which swingably and slidably supports the spherical projection. The support surface has a recess which can hold sludge at a lower portion of the support surface. The recess is communicated with the outer surface of the support member through a hole formed in the support member.