Hello,

This is what I have: 427 cast iron side oiler service block, 1964 cast iron high riser heads, 1964 factory aluminum 4v intake, 428 crank, lemans rods. My rocker arm assembly is factory cast iron pedestals with isky cast iron adjustable rocker arms (interference thread adjuster nut).

My question: Are all the rockerarm shaft bolts standard shank for high risers? When I took my engine apart one head had the "oiler bolt" where it belongs and the other 3 bolts were standard shank grade 5 bolts. The other head had "oiler bolts" in all 4 positions. I have read that the standard shank 2.50" long bolt is used on high risers and there is no need for the oiler bolt. If this is true why do I have 2.50" oiler bolts since the high riser is the only engine that uses this shorter bolt. Did high riser have oiler bolts in all positions maybe?

I do not have the restrictor modification that most people do because my oil psi has always been fine so I never messed with it. If I use a standard shank bolt in the oiler position will I starve my rockerarms or will it act like a restrictor?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Mike that's a good question. If you don't get a clear answer here maybe someone at 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum can help. I know there's a few guys there running high risers. I have also heard guys turn the rocker stand backwards so the slots face the intake as a way to also restrict/control oil flow. As you know the bottoms of the stands are notched for the oil feed hole. I guess you'd have to try it a few ways and watch oil flow to determine which is best for you. I would think as factory the oil feed holes got the shanked down bolt as other FE's did. But I can't say for sure. The medium riser and tunnel port also use a shorter rocker bolt than std FE's. My TP heads came without rockers so I bought the ARP stud kit to use with my cast iron stands and Crane iron rockers. The stud kits have 2 shanked down for the feed hole. I plan to try things a few ways to see which is best.

 

Thanks for the reply. I found the stock ford part # for these bolts and found someone that that was selling them NOS. I missed the chance to buy them but he sent me pictures of them. They are all reduced shank bolts and the factory assembly called for eight. I have heard so many different opinions on this but now I am convinced the high riser stands use the same oiler bolt in each stand. I have decided to buy 6 new grade 8 bolts and use the two best oiler bolts that I have. I did check with precision oil pumps who sell the arp stud kits. They can make them for high risers but it's $70 and I'm cheap. This engine is in a 19' Miller jet boat and I'm lucky if I get to run it twice a year.