Crane Cams adjustable valvetrain conversion

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Mar 19, 2004 | 12:07 AM

#16

79F150400M

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,509

Likes: 333

From: Arlington,Wa

Now thats a thing of beauty!!!!

Mar 20, 2004 | 12:20 PM

#17

David10

Junior User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 91

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Thanks .. The boy and I really enjoy it together.

Mar 20, 2004 | 11:43 PM

#18

79_custom

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 295

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From: Pikeville, KY

Ive had one minor problem with the crane conversion kit. I had one stud back out at about 3k miles after intalling them. No major problems, just droped a cylinder. The one that came off was one over the intake, It bent a push rod.. You should had heard the engine when it did it.. It was making a God Aweful sound, it was the rocker getting slung around under the valve cover. I was lucky there, I had my truck towed home. First time ever it was put on a roll back...lol the truck would start up just fine but had a little vibration in it.. I guess where it was running on 7 cylinders. I had it fixed in about 1 hour.... Now my engine has 11k miles on it with no other problems.

One word of advise. Go back over your studs at least 3 times before installing the rockers and adjusting them.

Dec 27, 2017 | 08:55 PM

#19

Scott Way

4th Gear

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 4

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_Beyer

Are talking about the conversion kit which allows you to install adjustable RA on your engine? If so, yes it's as simple as it sounds. A few tips:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_Beyer

1. Be sure to clean the threads where the studs go in thoroughly. I would suggest squirting some solvent down them, blowing it out with compressed air, running a tap down them, another shot of solvent or Brake Kleen and then more compressed air.

2. Test fit each stud/guideplate assembly before applying the thread locking compound. Casting differences in the heads sometimes require you to flip the guideplates over in order for them to fit correctly.

3. Let the thread locking compound sit for several hours or overnight before installing the rockers.

4. If you're using the original or stock type head bolts install the heads first then install the kit. Otherwise you probably won't be able to fit the head bolts past the guide assemblies.

I wouldn't recommend using the kit if you're going to a roller cam or very heavy valve springs (>350 lbs.). I don't think the special studs would hold up well to spring pressures that high.

Whats the part number and what ALL do I need to complete the job. I have a bone stock 79 400. Maabco motors did a crappy job on the valves, .060 to .087 out of spec.

Dec 27, 2017 | 09:02 PM

#20

Scott Way

4th Gear

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 4

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Quote:

Originally Posted by David10

Here is a pic of the Crane conversion showing the guide plate.

Do you have a part number for the kit and do I need to purchase roller rockers, will they fit under stock covers

Last edited by ctubutis; Dec 28, 2017 at 08:45 AM. Reason: fix quote

Dec 27, 2017 | 09:27 PM

#21

kopfenjager

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 1,234

Likes: 3

From: In the woods of Oregon

Holy thread resurrection

You do realize this thread is like 14 yrs old, right?

Here is the crane kit at summit and then your going to need some roller rockers and the proper length pushrods. My roller rockers fit under my stock size valve covers, so I would say yes.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...5-16/overview/

Dec 28, 2017 | 01:19 PM

#22

Crop Duster

Logistics Pro

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 4,474

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From: Tri Cities, TN

Rockers

If you aren't going to turn a lot of rpm's you can save a little money and use the Comp Cams roller tip rockers. Be sure and check the geometry on the valve stem tips because you might need different length pushrods to get everything where it is supposed to be.

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Jan 6, 2018 | 07:39 PM

#23

mustang81

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 883

Likes: 7

From: New-brunswick,Canada

i use this set up. i recommend using a pushrods lenght adjuster. my block was deck for clean up and my head shave for clean up also. Because of this the stock pushrods are too long. after mesure order custom pushrods. i paid my costum hardened pushrod 120$ canadian.
He have a way to mesure pushrod to obtain the perfect goemetry.
http://www.compcams.com/Technical/In...20Geometry.pdf