Are all ford pedestal roller rocker arms made incorrectly?

[WheelHorse]

Ox1, I think a lot of guys bolt rockers on and never check the patterns.

I had purchased 1.6 roller tip comp rockers and I was so disgusted at the pattern I used the stock rockers with different length pushrods when changing the heads on my '77.

Thankfully the E7's had tall enough stems to use the factory rail rockers.

 

[OX1]

Ox1, I think a lot of guys bolt rockers on and never check the patterns.

I had purchased 1.6 roller tip comp rockers and I was so disgusted at the pattern I used the stock rockers with different length pushrods when changing the heads on my '77.

Thankfully the E7's had tall enough stems to use the factory rail rockers.

That's the conclusion I came to, as I could not find any discussion such as this in all
my research (pertaining to pedestal mount rockers). Not even that much discussion on
correct geometry of pushrod end with threads I've found on "higher" performance builds with
stud mount rockers. Maybe most don't worry about it, as you can't do anything to fix
it in most cases.

I like the M/400 motors and had a 408 shortblock built by TMI (for my new rock crawler build,
which may never get done). I also got a set of CHI 2V heads for it and not knowing what
I know now, I ordered pedestal mount heads.

Have had them for several years and it will be interesting to see how that geometry comes out.
I got some Scorpion rockers from Tim also and told him what heads I would be running, but he never
mentioned anything about rocker geometry (and of course I did not ask).

 

[fordguy]

i am going stock and spending that money on bronco hut hedders.

 

[savage]

I don't have aluminum heads, but I running roller rockers on my stock heads, with a rv cam and checked the pattern, and with the same push rods it was riding wright in the middle. The rockers are 6.1. Is the aluminum heads, with pedestal mounting, causing the problem with some of the rockers.

 

[DirtDonk]

Checked the pattern on my 400 and it was perfect too. But they weren't pedestal mount either. Used the Comp Cams roller tip Magnum rockers (standard ball-n-socket pivot type) from a BB Chevy.
Did have to use the pushrod checkers and got a rod length very slightly different than stock, but basic assembly and no problems. So far...

Paul

 

[OX1]

How long did you let the marker dry before you tried the pattern?
It was either really wet when you did it and smudged, or I think
you need to adjust your guide plate.

The pattern should be uniform all the way across the valve-stem, even if it is not riding in the center.
Should also try to get it as thin as you can, could try a slightly longer pushrod.

Like this, which is a stud mount 1.7 rocker on a TW170 head........

 

[OX1]

Checked the pattern on my 400 and it was perfect too. But they weren't pedestal mount either. Used the Comp Cams roller tip Magnum rockers (standard ball-n-socket pivot type) from a BB Chevy.
Did have to use the pushrod checkers and got a rod length very slightly different than stock, but basic assembly and no problems. So far...

Paul

When you say 400, you mean M-block 400 or W?
What was the reason for the chevy rockers. On SB chevy stuff, I'm told the
chevy rockers are about .060 shorter between roller center and
fulcrum center.

I returned the GT40X's (lucky I was still under the 90 days) and
got another set of TW170's for my dads car. I originally got the cast
iron 40's as he is in his 80's (doing real well for that age, but still) and
I was trying to keep the HP down somewhat (it also has a supercharger
on it, which he likes for the oooh factor at the shows, so that will
bump power up even more with the better heads).

I spent about an hour and had an almost perfect pattern (and that was
1.6 rockers, vs the 1.72's on my motor), vice over 2 months
monkeying around with the ford heads and pedestal rockers. Never
again (well except those CHI heads, but no choice there, owned for
several years already).

 

[nvrstuk]

x2 what OX1 said...

On my stroker with Trick Flow 205's I used the same length pushrod for both intake and exhaust with roller cam.

 

[DirtDonk]

Off the shelf 400 (335 series) and at the time at least, the BB Chevy rockers were the ones specified for that engine.

Paul

 

[savage]

I had to adjust the guide plates, even had one crack on me, so I bought all new one's from comp cam.Got the pattern more unified, and replaced the screw in studs with longer arp ones.

 

[OX1]

Off the shelf 400 (335 series) and at the time at least, the BB Chevy rockers were the ones specified for that engine.

Paul

Will have to keep that in mind when I get to the 400.
I tried one on the 5.0 and it was shorter (fulcrum
to roller), but still too long.