roller rockers
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roller rockers
I am rebuilding a 78 302 and I want to know if I can put roller rockers into it? Will this work or do I have to stay with stock. Would I have to chang the cam, lifters and rods? If anyone could help that would be great!
thanks!
thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: kansas
Stock valve covers sometimes do not clear roller rockers. If you,re rebuilding engine I,d definetely upgrade cam and lifters, maybe flat top pistons, intake, carb and headers. Depends on budget and how fast ya wanna go.
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An upgrade on cam and lifters, intake, carb and headers will happen! Dont need to go real fast just want good torque and horse power. This truck will be used for mostly off road stuff. What will flat top pistons do for me?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,492
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From: North Texas
Well, first off...what heads are you running? The old E5 or E6 stock Ford irons? If so I'd ditch those ASAP. The E7 is a poor head but is good for easily 20-30hp over what you have now! GT-40 irons are even better upgrade over the E7 heads.
Like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2436690255
OR
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2436649009
Flat top pistons raise compression = more power. Good upgrade. Just besure to check piston to valve clearance when you go with them. Speed Pro makes nice forged pistons for cheap with vavle reliefs.
If you go with a set of 1.7:1 roller rockers you'll need better springs. They are good for usually 8-10rwhp. Circledirt is correct about the valve covers. BUT you can usually hack the oil baffle out and they clear.
Use quality hardware for ARP in your build up and quality bearings also. Bearings are the most important part of the motor. Use a Melling standard volume and standard pressure pump with an ARP shaft. Good gaskets and proper torque specs also
Like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2436690255
OR
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2436649009
Flat top pistons raise compression = more power. Good upgrade. Just besure to check piston to valve clearance when you go with them. Speed Pro makes nice forged pistons for cheap with vavle reliefs.
If you go with a set of 1.7:1 roller rockers you'll need better springs. They are good for usually 8-10rwhp. Circledirt is correct about the valve covers. BUT you can usually hack the oil baffle out and they clear.
Use quality hardware for ARP in your build up and quality bearings also. Bearings are the most important part of the motor. Use a Melling standard volume and standard pressure pump with an ARP shaft. Good gaskets and proper torque specs also
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
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Something else to keep in mind going with the 1.7:1 rockers is when you go to pick a cam and look at the lift the lift is gonna 95% of the time be considered with the use of 1.6:1 rockers. So if your cam lift is bordering .500 with 1.6's then you will be well over it going with the 1.7's you just have to keep track of it, this may cause you some problems depending on springs and piston to valve clearance issues.
I would get the cam first and use 1.6's, there is no real advantage to using the 1.7's unless you know exactly why your doing it and how its affecting your combo. Later
I would get the cam first and use 1.6's, there is no real advantage to using the 1.7's unless you know exactly why your doing it and how its affecting your combo. Later
Postmaster
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Well I am not hitmanX but yeah they will fit as far as E7 go. The gt-40's will fit if they cam off a mustang motor but if they came of a truck 5.8 they have larger head bolts you will need special studs but they will work as well. Later
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Lead Driver
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From: North Texas
Originally posted by powerstation
should I try and find a kit that has all that stuff in it or should I buy it all seperate? Hit Man, will thoes heads fit my 78 302?
Thanks!
should I try and find a kit that has all that stuff in it or should I buy it all seperate? Hit Man, will thoes heads fit my 78 302?
Thanks!
The E7 heads and GT-40 irons should bolt up as long as they are 302 heads with the 7/16" head bolt. If you get 351W heads they will work with a special stepped 7/16"->1/2" head bolt that ARP makes.
The heads you choose will make the biggest difference is power.
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Thanks for all the info guys! Another question for you...where are the casting numbers on the heads that I got? I looked around but could only find the Ford symbol and the numbers 78. If anyone knows please let me know.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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[QUOTE
Use quality hardware for ARP in your build up and quality bearings also. Bearings are the most important part of the motor. Use a Melling standard volume and standard pressure pump with an ARP shaft. Good gaskets and proper torque specs also [/QUOTE]
Use a HIGH VOLUME oil pump. IMHO, they should be in every performance engine built. The standard oil pump and system can be inadequate. It was never designed to do the things it is being called upon to do. Cheers.
Use quality hardware for ARP in your build up and quality bearings also. Bearings are the most important part of the motor. Use a Melling standard volume and standard pressure pump with an ARP shaft. Good gaskets and proper torque specs also [/QUOTE]
Use a HIGH VOLUME oil pump. IMHO, they should be in every performance engine built. The standard oil pump and system can be inadequate. It was never designed to do the things it is being called upon to do. Cheers.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Texas
Originally posted by borin&strokin
Use a HIGH VOLUME oil pump. IMHO, they should be in every performance engine built. The standard oil pump and system can be inadequate. It was never designed to do the things it is being called upon to do. Cheers.
Use a HIGH VOLUME oil pump. IMHO, they should be in every performance engine built. The standard oil pump and system can be inadequate. It was never designed to do the things it is being called upon to do. Cheers.
I ran a pretty hot roller 306 about two years ago with a Melling stock volume and stock pressure pump...worked great.
Just don't see the need for that high output pump on a street vehicle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
"Use a HIGH VOLUME oil pump. IMHO, they should be in every performance engine built. The standard oil pump and system can be inadequate."
I have followed this guidance for many years but it's not always best. I am running a high volume Mellings in my 53 F100 302. Nearly 70 PSI at cruise. and warmed up. Hardly necessary and sucking power no doubt. If your engine is clearanced properly, you'll get plenty of oil up top with a good quality stock pressure/volume pump.
I have followed this guidance for many years but it's not always best. I am running a high volume Mellings in my 53 F100 302. Nearly 70 PSI at cruise. and warmed up. Hardly necessary and sucking power no doubt. If your engine is clearanced properly, you'll get plenty of oil up top with a good quality stock pressure/volume pump.