I was wondering if anyone knew of some good sources for rocker arms and shafts. I measured the rocker to shaft clearance on my FE and found the source of all the clanking in the top end was excessive rocker clearance, .0072" in a few rockers. I am used to working on harleys where a simple bushing replacement is all that is needed, but not the FE. I called ford and they wanted 350 bucks for new shafts and rockers, The shaft is not badly worn, but I want a 100,000 mile plus motor when I am done, so I would rather replace the shaft with the rockers, is there any aftermarket? or is it possible to have the rockers machined and have bronze bushings pressed in? is the excessive clearance going to interfere with oiling and engine life? This is the only thing that is keeping me from building this motor right now, I am uncertain whether this motor is a 390 or 428 at the moment, but either way I plan on building it if the cylinder walls are not too thin. If it is a 428 I will spend the 350 for new rockers/shafts, if it is a 390 I might be hesitant, but if there is any cheaper solutions, than great.
thanx
Justin

 

Jegs has adjustable rockers for $179.99 without the shaft. The shaft should be about $30 at napa. this place adjustable rockers for $129. Eric
http://www.herbertperformance.com/Catalog/Rocker_Arms/ErsonCams_Rockers/ersoncams_rockers.html

 

I picked up a set of shafts and rocker arms (assembled) from the local parts house They look and checked just fine. From what i remember they ran about 50.00 (both sides). great for street use.

__JOHN__Õ¿ö
FTE Club #7
Member-
http://www.cruisin-north.com/
Santa Rosa, Calif.
72 F-250
ICQ#6030753
http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/jbhf250/
https://www.ford-trucks.com/pictorial/big/1972_f250_2.html

 

thats definately cheaper than I suspected!, thanx for the posts,
Justin

 

to check to see if it's a 428 or 410 check behind the dampener for a small wieght since the 428&410 are externally ballanced the 410 share's the 390/360 block and bore size.

 

 

I have taken the balancer off before, there is no other balancer, but the funny thing is I cosistantly measure a 4" stroke(I used a 6 inch machinist rule, so not accurate to hundreths or thous. of inch, but the ruler said 4 on the nose, so it would probably measure the 3.98" stroke of the 410 or 428 with say a pair of calipers or something more accurate, but definately larger than 3.78") now the truck is butchered, definately a shade tree engine swap, I am thinking maybe whoever put this motor in maybe got the block w/o the balancer assembly and put the old 360 balancer and sleeve on.by the way, the truck is a 76, and the motor is a 68. I am waiting for a job to come through, so I do not have the money to actually tear into it yet.
I know no one wants to hear this, but I am going to put the motor in a torino, when I can, I love the truck, but its a goner, needs too much work! whatever it is a 390 or 410, 428 etc, I plan on running with it, of course it will have some goodies on it. Even though it will be a car mill, this forum is very helpful since it is an FE motor, I am glad there is so many people that can help. anyway, I am rambling on.
thanx,
Justin

 

if it's anything but a 428 SCJ the weight will be on the flexplate or flywheel. how far down in the bore is the piston when it's at it's very highest? if it's really really close to level with the deck it's more likely to be the 410/428 because they had close deck height

 

Just for clarification, all 410 and 428 engines are externally balanced with an additional weight on the flywheel or flexplate. Only the 428SCJ has the hatchet behind the damper in addition to the weight in the back.

Barry

 

ok, so only the SCJ 428 has the balancer behind harmonic balancer then, ok, thanx for clarification, I was under the impression that all 410's and 428's had that, my bad. On the deck height I have no idea, I can't pull the heads to check that untill I get alternate transportation. But like I said I have measured the stroke 3 times using two different methods, I did it 3 times to make sure I was measuring correctly, and all 3 times, 4" exactly on my ruler, I placed #1 at tdc, and marked how far the dowel went into the cylinder, then ran the piston to bdc, and marked it again, then measured between the marks, 4".
I know I am just shooting in the dark right now, I am just excited to get the motor built, so I am kind of using methods that don't cost anything. I will Just have to wait untill I can pull the heads and find out for sure the RIGHT way. I do apreciate everyones helpfullness, I can't expect anyone to tell me yes or no from hundreds of miles away! I have got a Lot to learn about the FE. This site Is great.
Thanx,
Justin