Roller Rockers For The Street, Are They Really Worth It?

Edster

Founding Member

Aug 13, 2000

500

1

19

League City, Texas

Jul 13, 2012

#1

• Jul 13, 2012

• #1

I've been wondering if I should switch out to roller rockers. Advertised lift and duration on the cam (hydraulic cam) are; intake .496 290* exhaust .520 300*. Is it worth the expense

 

Fstbk

Member

Sep 7, 2010

215

2

19

Jul 13, 2012

#2

• Jul 13, 2012

• #2

I did it once in an early Bronco, and while that was a lower RPM application I still could never tell they were installed...I doubt if I do it again...

 

horse sence

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

12,295

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233

Wile Coyote's stunt double

Jul 13, 2012

#3

• Jul 13, 2012

• #3

you probably wont feel the difference, but the wear on the valve stems will be reduced to almost nothing as there will be no friction as there would be from standard rockers
and it easier on the lifters and cam lobes as well

 

jlangholzj

Mustang Master

Oct 23, 2006

248

31

93

MI

Jul 13, 2012

#4

• Jul 13, 2012

• #4

from my understanding as well you'd have more options for more radical cams...with less wear. About the only difference is that it gets rid of the "sewing maching" sound that hydraulic tappets give.

 

2

2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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Southeastern Pennsylvania

Jul 13, 2012

#5

• Jul 13, 2012

• #5

As opposed to the sound my 289HP solid lifters make?

 

iskwezm

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

4,159

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79

Rowland Heights,California

Jul 13, 2012

#6

• Jul 13, 2012

• #6

Roller rockers make noise too.

 

jlangholzj

Mustang Master

Oct 23, 2006

248

31

93

MI

Jul 13, 2012

#7

• Jul 13, 2012

• #7

iskwezm said:

Roller rockers make noise too.

Click to expand...

oh there's no doubt. Just seems like my 289 is a little bit noisier than what the 302 in my 150 is

 

woodsnake

15 Year Member

Jan 16, 2007

1,352

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69

Hicksville, NY

Jul 14, 2012

#8

• Jul 14, 2012

• #8

Do you have the Edelbrock performer RPM cam, with those specs, or another brand? When you start adding "performance" parts, you need to have the adjustable valve train! Hardened pushrods, guide plates, custom pushrods and everything.
If you put it back together with out that stuff, you can look forward to another cam swap, really soon...
I have that same cam in my 68/289 Cougar. Nice cam, makes good power, (Needs more than a 3.50 gear, IMO)
I am on my second set of rocker arms and valve springs, and pushrods....In my case, it was getting sh!t info from my machine shop guy, AND my summit parts rep. They sold me chevy valve springs, and I was getting coil bind, with my stock Ford length push rods. ( there are 3 different lengths, FYI) Do it right, or do it again, your choice....(edit for spelling)

 

Edster

Founding Member

Aug 13, 2000

500

1

19

League City, Texas

Jul 14, 2012

#9

• Jul 14, 2012

• #9

Yep! Thats the cam, and yes I added all the goodies to the valve train. Yes a 3.50 gear is marginal but better than a 3.00 but a 3.00 traction lok is better than a single track 3.50. I7d rather have a 3.80, but then overdrive etc. It never ends!!!!

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

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204

tucson,az

Jul 14, 2012

#10

• Jul 14, 2012

• #10

roller rockers are always worth the money and effort imo. you get less friction, and a more consistent rocker arm ratio. and while you most likely will not feel the difference seat of the pants, the engine will like it with about a 5hp gain overall.

 

Randy Langdon

New Member

Jul 22, 2012

3

0

1

Jul 22, 2012

#11

• Jul 22, 2012

• #11

It also depends on the engine, as the 351C has some very high friction stock rockers and see more benefit from going roller rockers.

 

bartl

Active Member

Feb 4, 2001

218

8

29

West Rutland, Vermont

Jul 23, 2012

#12

• Jul 23, 2012

• #12

On a street engine I'd definitely go with roller TIPS, but doubt I'd go full roller.

 

Smitten65

Member

Jan 7, 2011

57

4

19

FL

Jul 24, 2012

#13

• Jul 24, 2012

• #13

There's minimal benefit in a street engine, tue enough. That said, there is not a lot of price difference between full rollers (that aren't the special, pretty colored, lightweight, die cast aluminum ones) and stock stamped rocker replacements and they WILL reduce friction somewhat. Inside an egine, that is usually a good thing. Even Summit's 'fancy' ones are 'only' $166. http://www.summitracing.com/search/Product-Line/COMP-Cams-High-Energy-Die-Cast-Aluminum-Rocker-Arms/

 

J

j69302

Active Member

Jan 31, 2006

325

1

29

Jul 24, 2012

#14

• Jul 24, 2012

• #14

Keep in mind that on some aftermarket heads, Like edelbrocks, have short valve stems. If you were to use the factory rail tipped rockers, the rails would push down on the upper spring seat instead of pushing the valve down. When i installed these heads I had to buy some roller tipped rockers anyways.

 

SoCalCruising

Founding Member

Jul 25, 2000

2,437

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47

SoCal

Jul 25, 2012

#15

• Jul 25, 2012

• #15

Are you running the stock heads with press-in studs? Stock valve springs?

 

Edster

Founding Member

Aug 13, 2000

500

1

19

League City, Texas

Jul 26, 2012

#16

• Jul 26, 2012

• #16

Screw in 3/8 studs w/ guide plates.

 

J

jerthemost

Member

Sep 9, 2012

112

1

19

Jul 29, 2012

#17

• Jul 29, 2012

• #17

I recently rebuilt my 302 with Edelbrock 321/347 package, cam, heads, performer intake and 500 cfm carb. Used Compcams aluminum roller rockers and it works great. Not noisy at all. Runs like a scalded hound dog. Great torque. Get the roller rockers.

 

SoCalCruising

Founding Member

Jul 25, 2000

2,437

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47

SoCal

Jul 31, 2012

#18

• Jul 31, 2012

• #18

Sorry for the late reply. Glad to hear about the head upgrades. Roller tips should be fine. If you ever think you will build the motor further, then I'd invest in the full rollers. Lots of choices there. Plenty work fine, but the Miller Engineering full rollers are, perhaps, the best. Lot's of good valve train setup info on that site, too. Worth the read. Mine do make the "sewing machine" sound. That way you know they're working (wink).