This is a question for all of you who are building or have built 390s. I'm still pondering over rocker arms, and I just wanted to get an idea of what everybody else was doing. For those of you who are upgrading to a larger cam, and/or stiffer springs, are you sticking with the stock rocker setup or are you biting the bullit and getting the high-dollar ones?. I know I probably need to just go ahead and buy 'em and be done with it, but I'd really like to know what all of you are doing. Thanks.

 

I run a 390 with a fairly large Crane Mechanical Lifter Camshaft. So naturally I am running matching springs. As far as rocker arms go, I am running Clevite adjustable rocker arms. Note: With a solid lifter cam you must run longer push rods due to the design of the lifter. I adjust them reguarly just to make sure they are correct, but I really do not have any problems with them going out of adjustment. I usually get about 6,000-6,500 rpms out of the engine without any problems.

 

I've had great luck with the stock non-adjustable setup, but then again I don't race 'em. I would say if you've got the money to spend, the least you should do is buy some heavy duty shafts, these are what will break first. There are many parts available such as stands, spacers, and arms, some of which can be viewed as cheap insurance. But it's not like the whole motor will blow up if any of these things fall apart, and they're fairly easy to replace. Just remember that the adjustable rockers have a more aggressive ratio than the non-adjustable ones, so check your valve to piston clearance.

 

I have a stock 360 and just got tired of fighting the lifter noise with over/under size pushrods after a valve job (I like a quiet engine). I bought a set of adjustable rockers and pushrods from Dennis at DSC Motorsport. They seem to be good quality at the right price. With a stethoscope and a 1/2" socket I can isolate and eliminate noise from individuale lifters. Best money I've ever spent on my truck!

Dale

71 F100 360
92 Bronco 351

 

I purchased the crane roller tip rockers locally, new hardened shafts and chromoly push rods from dennis at DSC motorsports, and the springs, lifters came with the Melling cam I put in. Very adjustable and very quiet. The pushrods are the ball and cup style instead of the original ball/ball style for the adjuster. While your at it you might as well bite the bullet and put the aluminum spacers between the stands and rockers instead of the stock springs that held them apart.