I recently got my motor back from the machine shop after a faulty valve. I put it all back together and it ran for about 5 minutes. All of the exhaust pushrods were bent and as far as I can figure the rocker arms were riding on the back edge of the valve possibly going off a little needless to say machine shop is paying. Just wondering if anyone knows what the correct height is for the valves from spring seat to top of valve? heads have stud mount non adjustable cast rockers

 

Which rockers are you using? D0VE heads used plain rockers and guide slots in the heads. The valves only sit a little above the spring retainers, whereas the later heads use rail type rockers and the valve stems sit about 1/4-5/16" above the retainers. The push rods on D0VE heads are also different from later heads. I had a heck of a time finding parts for my 1971 Colony Park 429 engine with the D0VE heads, everyone wanted to sell me later parts.

 

Yeah the pushrods are definitly different took me along time to find them they are 8.68 long and I was lucky to find a machine shop that had a set laying around. They are not rail type, they are stud mount and the rockers are cast, the motor is from a 71 Lincoln Continental Mark III.

 

The difference between the rail and non-rail is the valve stem end. The rail type have a recessed area between the side "rails" that keep the rocker arm aligned over the valve stem. The non-rail type simply have a smooth end that rides on the valve stem. Both are cast and use torque to stop studs. The non-rail type use either guide plates or slots in the heads to keep the push rods and rocker arms aligned. If your shop used rail type valves in a non-rail type head, they will be about 1/4-5/16" too long. The push rods for non-rail type are hardened. Check 460ford.com it seems to be an excellent resource on these engines. Good luck, mine ran great.

 

No the rail type rockers are stock on the heads and the heads also have the guide holes in them. My machine shop guy just didn't sink the exhaust valves into the head far enough. I'm pretty sure that I will buy guide plates and a set of full roller rockers

 

Ouch, no wonder you had an interference engine.

 

My 460 from a 72 lincoln continental has rockers that are connected to the head with bolts.

They appear to be cast. The bolt goes through the oil deflector, then the rocker, then some sort of spacer, and then into the head.

I know I have hydraulic lifters.

How, if at all, can I adjust these?
-kit



*sorry if this is considered thread hijacking*

 

Ford did all of their valve clearance adjustments on the positive stop and sled type rocker arms by changing push rod length. Most shops and parts stores won't carry the varying lengths needed though.

 

Pokerpuller-

Sounds like you might have pedestal rockers. If so, the easiest/cheapest way to adjust them (short of switching to an adjustable valvetrain) is by using shims under the pedestal, of whatever thickness you need. Kits are available from Crane Cams, or Ford Racing; about $10.00 & includes various thicknesses. Works well, though a bit tedious.

 

What about different length push rods?
-kit

 

No they are studs and my mistake the motor is out of a 71 lincoln. I'm pretty sure that all DOVE-C heads have studs. We figured out what was wrong the machine shop put in newer 460 valves not knowing that the older heads have longer valves. And yes it is very hard to find the right length pushrods mine stock were 8.68 I found a machine shop that had a set laying around after calling about 25 places. I am in the process of buying longer studs guide plates and crower stainless roller rockers to solve this problem event further