hey guys, Been looking at some higher ratio rocker arms for my 69' cylinder head for my 200. I believe the stock arms are 1.5 nonadjustable. I was looking at 1.6 adjustable arms from classic inlines. However, I also noticed that compcams have some high energy rocker arms. I know the classic inlines will fit no problem but they are also 350 dollars. Harland sharp has an aluminium set for 293 dollars but I'm not sure if they fit or what size would need to be ordered. Or anything I may need like different push rods. So what do you think would be the best to buy? I realize the aluminum might be overkill for not a racing engine, I was just hoping to save some dollars and get the most out of it that I can. Thanks!
Full roller rockers aren't overkill. Their primary benefit is in nearly eliminating friction by replacing the ball fulcrum with a needle bearing roller trunion.
Do you know of any that mount to the stock shaft for the 200? I see them for the 240 and 300 but that's about it. Aside from classic inlines but that includes the shaft and everything
I would just keep the 1.5 rockers and a buy a bigger cam. It's a whole lot cheaper than buying aftermarket rockers. I got some 1.5 adjustable units from the junkyard(off a early 60's ranchero.)
I would like to find at least the 1.6 adjustable. I don't want to mess with much more the cylinder head.
classicinlines will be producing roller tip rocker arms that match the original shaft. they have just been announced, no idea when they will be available.
You might try those made for the FE big blocks, don't know if they'll fit the sixes though.............
I read on ford six about some people trying the ones made for the Chevy 250 or something but im not to sure
I agree. I'm also guessing that they will tell you straight out that the bang for that buck from roller rockers will not be there. Especially considering that .030 thou lift increase will give you squat unless it's been tuned for. And even then good luck getting 5 horse out of the deal on such a small motor. IMHO.. if you gotta do it.. 1.7's would be the way to go.. but those old springs surely won't like it as you ask for another .070 thou of lift while increasing the open/close lobe/lifter accelleration rate. typical ICE rules will apply here as well: free flowing air cleaner free flowing exhaust hotter spark with more timing lead just off idle carb cam/springs THEN.. add roller rockers
Got the air cleaner and carb. Exhaust was going to be before the rockers. Upgrading to the dsii soon. Just trying to plan the rockers. Was going to do the 302 springs and 1 piece retainers. Probably leave the cam stock for now. I just read that high ratio arms can help wake up the engine and a cam swap isn't as necessary if you do the rocker arms
lift certainly helps.. but improving valve timing and duration is where the power usually is when looking at stock cams. Like I said earlier though.. .030 is nearly impreceptible and certianly will never "wake a motor up".. especially a smaller one. I know this because I myself and many others that I know have thrown money at rockers in hopes of bigger power gains too. The reality is that it's typically only when spring rate/rpm goes up that you see max gains from them. Otherwise.. sounds like you're already well on your way down the list then. :Handshake Once you get all that stuff done.. you'll want the cam for sure since that's your next biggest bottleneck. Well.. besides working on improving that cylinder heads pathetic flow. You should be able to reach 40 horse over stock with the right parts though. And be unique while doing it.
Just FYI: Ford found a 15 HP increase when they went with the 1.7 full roller rockers in the 93 Cobra 5.0. Some was from the increased ratio, most was from the decreased friction. They're not a waste of money, far from it. But it all depends on what you have to spend to get em on the engine.
