Roller rockers?

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Jan 23, 2003 | 01:16 PM

rusty70f100

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From: Iowa

Roller rockers?

I was up at the junkyard the other day, and got a set of rocker arms, rocker shafts, and stands for a ford FE. They are non-adjustable 1.73:1 ratio rockers. I paid $20, and they are in usable condition. Also, off the same engine, I got 9.62" pushrods. My question is, would it be worth it to go with Harland Sharp 1.76:1 adjustable roller rockers? They cost $319.99 from Jegs. I would also have to get different pushrods, and thats another $100. I'm thinking I'll probably use the ones I got, but if you see any issues with my setup, let me know.

Heres what I'm building:

390ci
Forged flat top TRW's, .030 over
Crane 343941 cam, 272/284 duration (dual pattern)
.533" intake lift, .563 exhaust lift with 1.76:1 rockers
.010 less with 1.73:1 rockers
Matching Crane hydraulic lifters
Springs: 90lbs closed, 276 lbs open
C7AE-A heads
Standard valves
Edelbrock Performer RPM
Almost forgot, Holley 600 CFM vacuum secondary

Also, if anyone could run this through Desktop Dyno 2000 with the roller rockers and the standard ones I would appreciate it. If theres anything else you need, just ask. Thanks!

Last edited by rusty70f100; Jan 23, 2003 at 01:51 PM.

Jan 23, 2003 | 03:49 PM

Ratsmoker

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Joined: Feb 2001

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From: Missouri

Roller rockers?

You will only have to spend about 30 bucks on pushrods. As for rockers I would get the doves. They are a little cheaper and probably a little better. You can get all the stuff from DSC motorsport. With your cam you might be able to get away with stock shafts and stands but then again you might have them break like I did twice. He sells thick walled hardened shafts that have worked really well for me. They are 70 bucks a piece though.

Jan 23, 2003 | 08:11 PM

Sunny_in_hollister

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Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 306

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From: Hollister, CA

Roller rockers?

Dove's come with no bushings. Some like it that way, some don't. Competition Cams sells a setup that is pretty much the same as Doves. Erson sells a full roller set up. Shelby has a stainless version with bushings. Rocker Arm Specialists sells aluminum and stainless full roller assemblies. Their stainless Max Roller looks awesome!

I'm running the full roller aluminum setup from rocker arm specialist. They were the only one at the time to offer a full roller set up.

Reggie

Jan 23, 2003 | 09:18 PM

rusty70f100

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Posts: 8,600

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From: Iowa

Roller rockers?

I'm thinking I'll probably just use the stuff I got. If I break em, so what? I'll just go back up to my friendly junkyard and get more.

I may get new rocker shafts if the ones I got are worn too bad. Am I losing much by using stock 1.73:1 rockers, or do I absolutely need to get adjustable ones for the hydraulic lifters? Also, DD2000 simulation numbers for my setup would be greatly appreciated.

Last edited by rusty70f100; Jan 23, 2003 at 09:34 PM.

Jan 23, 2003 | 09:48 PM

Ratsmoker

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From: Missouri

Roller rockers?

Some cams have a different base circle than stock cams therefore requiring custom pushrods or adjustables. Adjustables seem to be the most practical. The ratio cange will almost be unnoticeable even on a dyno. It will be a while before I can get my desktop dyno up but I will need more details than just a cam.

Jan 24, 2003 | 02:21 AM

Scotty1

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Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 479

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From: Miami U.S.A.

Roller rockers?

I would recommend using better rockers. BUT, if you aren't going to use new hardened shafts then you should just use what you have. And if you are going to spend $400-$500 bucks on rockers and shafts then you should really get good endstands. If you are going to do that then you should just get on the waiting list like the rest of us for the Erson rocker set up. Priced anywhere from just under $600 to just over $600. In the end they are worth every penny. (check me out selling a product I haven't even used yet.) I apperently have bought into the Hype. Seriously though, I have heard nothing but good thing about the Erson rockers.

Scotty

Jan 24, 2003 | 07:13 AM

William

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Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 3,565

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From: Sun River St. George

Roller rockers?

Rusty, All good and thoughtful advice. May I add that, you have spent quite a bit of money and time on this engine. As you finish up and realize that it is costing much more than you figured, the tendancy is to cut corners. Now is not the time. Used rocker assemblies may be OKAY but if any of these parts fail you could be in for expensive and time consuming repairs. Not to mention being stuck on the road somewhere figuring how to get the truck home. A less expensive solution, but bullet proof for a street truck motor, is new adjustable rocker assemblies and pushrods. I got mine at Blue Oval Performance, call Rob McQ at 303 762-8298. He is really knowledgeable about these FE's and will offer free advice and tips. Now is not the time to cut corners. But you don't need to spend megabucks either. Please let us know how this comes out!
William in Atlanta