I am still working on getting this 460 into my 78 supercab. it seems the more reading and research I do, the more confused I get!! First question, if i go with a 218 degrees intake @ .050 camshaft, do i need to replace my non-adjustable valve train??? I read that Erson makes an adjustable screw in stud kit, will this work with my stock lifters? Also, I'm using a 78 460 block, do i need the externally balanced balancer spacer? Thanks for the help, guys!

 

What's the lift on your cam? You can usually use up to .515 with stock rocker arms. Your lifters will work with any type of valve train. All '78 engines were internally balanced.

 

summit cam kit, :218 @.050 intake, 228 @ .050 exh, .503 lift, and 114 lobe seperation
I know its a fairly mild cam, but an article i read in carcraft magazine stated that the stock non adjustable valvetrain won't work, that i need a screw in stud kit, guide plates, etc. the hardened pushrods i ordered are stock length at 8.574 x 5/16, it comes with studs and guideplates. will this set up work? if i get this all put together and it eats itslef the first time istart it, i'm gonna cry!

 

I've never heard that cams of those specs won't work with stock valvetrains. I've used cams around those specs with rail rockers and no guideplates. That cam shouldn't rev much beyond low 5000rpms, so I'd think you could run either stock rail rockers on early heads or pedestal mounted rockers on the later heads.

Converting to an adjustable valve train allows an easy way to adjust lifter preload, but that can be accomplished with shims under the later model pedestals or stud lock nuts on the early rail rockers. If it was a solid lifter cam, then you would need adjustable rocker arms.

In converting a valve train with a new cam, I wouldn't order push rods until using a pushrod length checker. Stock lengths are:

68-69 8.70
69-72 8.67
73-80 8.62
CJ/SCJ 8.55

CJ/SCJ/72-74 PI came with guide plates, and the rocker pedestals are around .125 shorter to allow for the thickness of the guideplates. Those who use guideplates on early heads which came with rail rockers normally have .125 milled off the pedestals to compensate for the guideplates.

I'm not familiar with the kit you refer to, but have heard some kits require no milling of the pedestals. Maybe someone who knows those kits can jump in and clarify how they avoid milling the pedestals and using short pushrods.

 

Ok, the kit I ordered, the pushrods are 8.574, a little shorter than stock, i guess to make up for the difference with the guideplate.