Ok guys I am in a situation.....

I have a Factory 72 Highboy F250 4x4.

I had the engine built and have bad rocker arms that ate up my cam. (I should have done the rebuild myself...Just goes to show ya!) I replaced it myself with a Lunati cam and don't want to ruin it.

Here is my problem. When I bought this truck and started pulling things apart, I found out it had adjustable rocker arm assemblies on it. I also found out at that time that adjustable rocker arm assemblies on the FE block were only offered in 1968. So now I know my engine ( Or Whatever else) is not original as the seller told me.

So now I have a bad adjustable assembly and need to change them out.

If I go with the none adjustable assembly, where is the best place to get the parts and do I need to individually spec. out each push rod? (I have Hydrolic lifters in mine right now.)

For the money, I was thinking of changing over to a Roller Rocker assembly. who do I go with and what should I look out for and what would be the approx. cost. Just a ball park figure is all I'm asking.

Point me in the right direction and I will do the rest of the work. Just any info ya'll can provide will be Huge! It is the last thing I need to do to this truck and it is DONE!

Thanks in advance!
Lever

 

I'm no FE expert but I'd say if you're going to stay with stock-type rockers, stay with the adjustables. If I recall correctly the non-adjustables require the stem height of the valves to be set so that it can all be bolted together and the lifter preload is pretty much ready to go. Personally I like to have a little more precise control over it and set the lifter preload myself.

 

BS

You were mis-informed...NO 1968 360/390 engine had adjustable rocker arms.

The only 332/352/390 engines that had adjustable rocker arms were the early engines: 1958-1959-1960 and possibly 1961 (forget)

F100/350's did not use FE 352 engines until model year 1965.

1968 was the first year for 360/390 engines in F100/350's.

 

ok from what i have done you can buy a new set of adjustable rocker arms and pushrods for them from crane cams http://www.cranecams.com/index.php?s...lvl=4&prt=2097 this is cranes new setup to completely replace the rocker shafts.

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...47063_-1_10233 this is the setup i used it does require buying a new set of pushrods to go with the rockers.

erson also makes a great set of shafts but from what i have seen and been told unless you are trying to do serious racing with your motor there is just no reason to go that far.

hope this helps

James

 

I know that performance FE's (406's, 427's. etc.) with solid lifter cams came with adjustable rockers.
I have a 427 solid cam in my Mustang.

 

Yes, I knew that too...I didn't mention it as OP was asking about 1968 360/390.

 

Well the non adjustable rocker arm assembly was employed in the FE's because apparently the adjustable assembly wasn't getting the job done.

I was always under the impression, (I forget why) the in 1972 and only 1972 was the year Ford tried the adjustable assemblies and then went back to the non adjustable ones.

I guess it really doesn't matter because I can not find any stock adjustble rocker arms assemblies. So I either have to get stock non adjustable ones or I go with a roller rocker set up.

I really like the non adjustable set up because with the hydralic lifters it is really simple. Just like my 258 inline 6 in my Jeep. Bolt it down and you are done. I have had Zero troubles over the past 17 years and three engines in my Jeep. (I did alot of off roading!)

So if I go with non adjustable, I have to get all new push rods anyway. I do not know about the roller rocker set ups, I would probably go with a new set of push rods for that too. I have to go check out those links provided above.

What can you guys tell me about the adjustable set up and why it is not used and when it was?

 

Thanks Fritolay!

The first link looks good, but I don't have the cash to spend $500/side for that set up! So now I have to look into the other set up. But if I am going to replace the rockers, I am going to replace the shafts as well and that kit on the jegs link does not show a shaft.

You see, I know my rockers on the 5th and 6th cylenders are bad and so the shaft is probably worn as well. This is why I get a ticking noise when adjusted and I ruined a set of lifters and the first cam that was put in it. So to replace the rockers means I have to replace the shafts as well. But if I go with that set up I can use my existing push rods.

So I need to know if that set of rockers from jegs for $275 is 16 rockers or just 8. it does not tell me.

I am leaning towards trying to find an FE in a junk yard and pulling the non adjustable set up off of it with the push rods and drop it on my engine and see if the noises go away or get worse.....If it works, it would be a cheap way to get my truck on the road until I can afford the Roller rockers.

What are ya'll thoughts on that?

 

I all boils down to money, why would Ford offer adjustables when fixed would work?
The last set of adjustables I purchased were TRW's now I haven't a clue if the still offer them.
Manley has adjustable rockers steel like the originals, part # 43128-8. Not a clue on price.
Standards ok if you play the pushrod length game to get correct preload, this sucks.

 

One thing I am not understanding here is the preload that keeps being mentioned. If I am using hydralic lifters, why is the preload so dificult? I would think the lifter would do that for you.

Like with my Jeep, I've never had an issue. Put a set of lifters in it and bolt down the assembly. I never even worried about making sure all the push rods stayed in the same place. matter of fact, I've even used different push rods on different engine blocks with no problem.

Why would it be different for the FE?

 

With a 40 year old motor, many owners and rebuilds, heads milled, valve grinds and different head gasket thickness, different pushrod lengths, cam base circle changes, you don't know what your preload is unlee you check.
Starting from zero valve clearance you compress the plunger inside the lifter, some specs are .100" to .200" compressed. This allows for assembly differences, thermo expansion and wear.
To set within these .100"-.200" range and have lifter pump up you may have
valve to piston damage should you run high rpm's (it can happen).
Should you bottom out the lifters you'll hold them open causing popping thru the intake and burning an exhaust valve besides lifter and cam damage.
I would rather have .050" preload should (one my install) I have valve float and still have valve to piston clearance.
Different pushrod lengths allow for corrections in preload but then once set you better keep each one in order and reassemble the same, another PITA which adjustables avoid plus adjusting preload. JMO's.

 

B8AZ-6563-AX Rebuilt Rocker Arm and Shaft Assy...Ford dealers sold these at one time and I've been informed that NAPA still does. This the entire shaft with rockers, ready to install as a unit.

You sell your products on GB? I'm WinM1895 on GB.

 

Numberdummy,
No I do not sell on GB. I have searched alot on there and Bought my 99 Savage in 358 win. on Auction arms, but I have not sold.

I spend alot of time in Leverguns.com, Leverluvers, Marlin Owners, Sage Creek forums and the NAHC forum. And a few others as well.

I do try and list an item every month on ebay though and sell items there.

I love dem leverguns!

 

Here's another: winchestercollector.org (WinM1895 there too...Guess what I collect).

AA:1895Win
ebay: m1895winchester

 

I am a fan of the 94, and always thought the 95 was ugly. But lately I have grown fond of them and I would love to have one in a 30/06. I don't think I would get one in a 405 only because I have my Shiloh in 45/70 and want to get a 94 in 38-55. The 405 would be real spendy.

But now we are getting way off topic and should probably talk on a forum some where!

I checked on the info you posted and Napa does not sell that set up anymore. They do have the shafts available and I may end up getting a shaft and then those new rocker arms from Jegs. This way I can keep all my existing push rods and with new rockers and shaft, the problem should be solved for around $500 instead of $1000!

Thanks for all your help guys.

I would still like to know when they started offering the adjustable assembly and why and when they discontinued it?