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Stud mount and Pedestal mount rockers : pros and cons?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fiveoho
  • Start date Start date Feb 1, 2008
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fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
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#1
  • Feb 1, 2008
  • #1
which is better? studs and adjustable guideplates or pedestal mount setup?

whats the goods and bads?
 

earleys94gt

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
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Feb 1, 2008
#2
  • Feb 1, 2008
  • #2
I guess one advantage of Peds., is that what the stockers are so you don't have to machine.

With studs, you have to machine to make them fit, but as you hinted at they are adjustable; so you have a little 'play' to work with in the valvetrain geometry.
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
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#3
  • Feb 1, 2008
  • #3
earleys94gt said:
I guess one advantage of Peds., is that what the stockers are so you don't have to machine.

With studs, you have to machine to make them fit, but as you hinted at they are adjustable; so you have a little 'play' to work with in the valvetrain geometry.
Click to expand...

if you were buying a set of heads that has already been converted to stud mount with guideplates, would you see that as a plus?
 

earleys94gt

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
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Feb 1, 2008
#4
  • Feb 1, 2008
  • #4
if you were buying a set of heads that has already been converted to stud mount with guideplates, would you see that as a plus?
Click to expand...

I guess it would depend on what your plans are.

I have pedastal's on my car, and they work just fine.

I am sure someone else will chime in about this, but I see stud mount's as a way to 'fine tune' your valvetrain.

If you are sticking with an off-the-shelf cam and other 'common', not too radical parts, then I wouldn't see the need to get stud mounts.

Plus, the pedastal mount rockers are usually more quiet than the stud mounts.

To answer your question, I'd see heads that were already machined as an added bonus.
 

fiveoho

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#5
  • Feb 1, 2008
  • #5
cool. so for a very mild HCI , there really isnt much need to for the added cost of stud mount. however if a bought set of heads already has been converted, this is definetly ok ( and could possibly be a benfit i ever wanted to sell the heads down the road ).

so, pedestal or stud will work just fine for a mild hci 302 setup


on a side note- are proform rocker arms as junky as what i hear or are they ok?
 

PUNISHER RACING

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#6
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  • #6
The only real downside to the peds is in a high lift/high spring pressure situation you are banking on a 5/16 bolt to stay alive at say 6,000. They are very dependable and easy to set up if used within their means. Just keep them limited to street style cams and under .570 lift and they will last. For all out performance and reliability though the stud mount is the way to fly. Step up to 7/16 studs and they are tough as nails and offer an endless option of valvetrain adjustability no matter what cam you choose!
 

95Vert

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#7
  • Feb 1, 2008
  • #7
PUNISHER RACING said:
For all out performance and reliability though the stud mount is the way to fly. Step up to 7/16 studs and they are tough as nails and offer an endless option of valvetrain adjustability no matter what cam you choose!
Click to expand...

I completely agree with this statement. It allowed Jay to go more aggressive with the cam and extract more power.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
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Feb 2, 2008
#8
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #8
Go with stud-mounted

Stronger and easier to adjust.
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
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#9
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #9
cool

thanks guys
 

Yobi1Kanobi

Member
Apr 9, 2003
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#10
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #10
My stud mounted Trick Flow rockers are really sturdy pieces. They do take a little bit to get the hang on adj them. And you must make sure that your set screws are down good and tight without losing the adj...And they hum...

That being said I would just go with whatever my heads require for a street car.
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
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Feb 2, 2008
#11
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #11
One thing to keep in mind is ... type ... of heads

All OEM iron Ford heads use peds

Now ... I don't know how much money it takes to convert them over
but
That would be a K E Y consideration for me with iron heads :Word:

If you have ever had the chance to see peds and studs setup side by side,
you can see the design of the studs looks to be more impressive IMHO.

I went with studs on my AFR's for the main reasons of they are a bit more
stable at high rpm and more easy to adjust as you don't need shims and
such. Also, by going with stud mount choice, I could select a smaller chamber
size in the AFR line at the time.

Anyone know the price to get some OEM iron heads done with studs

Grady
 

fiveoho

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#12
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #12
final5-0 said:
One thing to keep in mind is ... type ... of heads

All OEM iron Ford heads use peds

Now ... I don't know how much money it takes to convert them over
but
That would be a K E Y consideration for me with iron heads :Word:

If you have ever had the chance to see peds and studs setup side by side,
you can see the design of the studs looks to be more impressive IMHO.

I went with studs on my AFR's for the main reasons of they are a bit more
stable at high rpm and more easy to adjust as you don't need shims and
such. Also, by going with stud mount choice, I could select a smaller chamber
size in the AFR line at the time.

Anyone know the price to get some OEM iron heads done with studs

Grady
Click to expand...


only reason im curious is that i found a set of gt40s from a 93 cobra that have been converted to stud mount. they have upgraded springs, fresh seals, valve job, mag'ed, etc and come with aftermarket 1.6 rockers. all this has 3500 miles on it. he found a good deal on a set alum's and needs to sell these. $480 shipped
 

95Vert

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Feb 2, 2008
#13
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #13
Offer him $400 shipped. They are worth the money.


Grady, Thumper charged me $100 to do this to my GT40's when he did the work on them.
 

fiveoho

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Feb 2, 2008
#14
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #14
95Vert said:
Offer him $400 shipped. They are worth the money.
Click to expand...


i thought so too. i figure up to $450 shipped
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,301
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Feb 2, 2008
#15
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #15
Studs are better, but if the heads aren't set up for studs, peds are a cheap alternative that usually works just fine. I think that's what it comes down to.

Kurt
 

Dino Dino Bambino

15 Year Member
Jun 13, 2007
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Feb 2, 2008
#16
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #16
Pedestal mount:

Advantages: Easy bolt-on mod for stock E7 or GT40/GT40P heads, fit under stock valve cover, rocker arm channels ensure valvetrain stability.

Disadvantages: Non-adjustable (may require shims or longer pushrods to correct lifter preload), 5/16" rocker arm bolts limit maximum spring pressure and rpm capability to ~6000rpm.

Stud mount:

Advantages: Adjustable (easy correction of lifter preload), can use larger diameter rocker arm studs (7/16") for higher spring pressures and 6000+rpm capability, wide choice of stud-mount RR's available, wide choice of aftermarket heads for them to install on.

Disadvantages: Require pushrod guideplates and hardened pushrods to ensure valvetrain stability (not a problem if the heads are set up for them), cannot be installed on stock E7 or GT40/GT40P heads unless rocker arm bolt bosses are drilled & tapped for larger diameter studs.

Bottom line? If you're going for a mild street set-up with a maximum rpm no higher than 6000rpm, pedestal mount will do fine. If you're going for track performance and 6000+rpm, stud mount is the way to go.
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
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Feb 2, 2008
#17
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #17
i have a set of tall decks but will stud mounts fit under stock size valve covers?
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
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79
DFW Texas
Feb 2, 2008
#18
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #18
One thing to keep in mind if talking about OEM iron heads :Word:

For years now there has been kits to convert peds to studs

That kit uses tiny 5/16" bolts that are not all that strong

Grady
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Feb 2, 2008
#19
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #19
Another thing about using OEM iron heads and upgraded rockers

If I was on a ... tight budget

I'd put ANY kind of upgraded rocker WAY down on my priority list

I mean ... even if you go to the greater ratio of 1.7

The gain is so tiny

As has been said ... Its all about the application

The OEM steel stamped rockers will work just fine for budget combos
as most are gonna start to peter out a good bit before 6K

I'm not saying rollers are not a good thing
but
I'm just saying the gain for the buck spent
well
It may not be worth it for everybody

Grady
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
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Feb 2, 2008
#20
  • Feb 2, 2008
  • #20
these are actually 7/16 stud

the heads come with 3500 miles proform rockers. those would be sold and the money would be put toward a better/different set
 
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