That's what I was thinking. I could wrap my thin, round file with a screwdriver handle in electrical tape and then use that.

 

Update: I managed to rotate the exhaust rocker shaft without much effort or force and the hole is visible again! The middle cam cap bolts thread thru easily now. Thanks to seeing the hole at least a fair bit I was able to use a long file and push it down enough to get the hole to line up nicely.
The intake side though... not so lucky... It rotated to a different angle, almost a full turn so its "back" is what I can see without any crevice to latch onto and push it down a turn See attached pic for reference (screen captured from a video I sent a buddy)
Looks like I'm going to have to lift the rocker assembly again?! Any suggestions?


Intake rocker arm shaft top view. Its hard to rotate like this

 

Slide a tapered punch down there it will line them right up fast with no effort. Happens to me all the time during retainer jobs.

 

I don't have one, dammit. I'll try to get one fast. Anything else I could use in the meantime? Flathead screwdriver might gouge the shaft?

 

Oh and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is experiencing this annoying dilemma. Even the great Billman does! Difference is he knows just what to do

 

Philips screwdriver may also work.

 

I've used- don't laugh- bamboo chopsticks around sensitive engine bits. They are soft enough to not mar surfaces and have a tapered tip.

darcy

 

If that chopstick breaks and parts of it goes to places unknown in the engine... does one then commit seppuku?

 

Haha yeah the tapered punch didn't even rotate that shaft!

 

Good news though! I got it done! I had to remove the rocker arm assembly once more but this time I had a plan. Take a look...







The intake shaft had its back facing the bolt hole and would not budge from the top with any kind of tool. I rotated it easily by hand here