Engine builders please step inside.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
Engine builders please step inside.
OK here is a little background on what i have.
i have a 78 with a 78-350 non numbers matched engine to my car that i
bought last year.
PO knew nothing about the engine but when i had the drivers door apart
last year i found a 4sale sign that said rebuilt engine, new cam and lifters, new clutch.
although it does run like a fairly new engine with the exception of a puff of smoke at start up, i recently had it apart to verify that it really did have at least some work done to it.
what i found was steel timing chain gears so at least that part was true
very clean oil pan inside and just one small piece of rubber in the oil pump screen.
the clutch does feel like a new and has plenty of adjustment left
also the car has a very slight lope at idle as in extremely mild cam is probably installed.
the heads were very clean inside and it does have stock valve springs in place.
i am gong to REDO the valve seals with the viton replacements as
recommended here on the forum.
and now for the questions, while the rockers are off
what are the benefits of replacing the rockers with roller tip style?
if i did go with roller tipped should i increase to 1.6 ratio?
could i increase to 1.6 without knowing current cam lift?
if i did go with the 1.6 ratios how much more lift does that equate to
and is it actually worth it performance wise?
as always any and all answers you guys provide is
GREATLY APPRECIATED
i have a 78 with a 78-350 non numbers matched engine to my car that i
bought last year.
PO knew nothing about the engine but when i had the drivers door apart
last year i found a 4sale sign that said rebuilt engine, new cam and lifters, new clutch.
although it does run like a fairly new engine with the exception of a puff of smoke at start up, i recently had it apart to verify that it really did have at least some work done to it.
what i found was steel timing chain gears so at least that part was true
very clean oil pan inside and just one small piece of rubber in the oil pump screen.
the clutch does feel like a new and has plenty of adjustment left
also the car has a very slight lope at idle as in extremely mild cam is probably installed.
the heads were very clean inside and it does have stock valve springs in place.
i am gong to REDO the valve seals with the viton replacements as
recommended here on the forum.
and now for the questions, while the rockers are off
what are the benefits of replacing the rockers with roller tip style?
if i did go with roller tipped should i increase to 1.6 ratio?
could i increase to 1.6 without knowing current cam lift?
if i did go with the 1.6 ratios how much more lift does that equate to
and is it actually worth it performance wise?
as always any and all answers you guys provide is
GREATLY APPRECIATED
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,673
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Your car might go faster but this would only be as a result of a lighter wallet. 
Seriously don't waste your money on roller tip rockers on a mild motor. Especially 1.6 ratio unless you know the specs on the springs and cam. You could get into coil bind and one thing commonly overlooked is the fact that 1.6 rockers will bring the pushrods in towards the valves more than 1.5 rockers and they could rub on the heads.
Just for info 1.6 rockers will get you about .300-.400 more lift depending on the original lift of the cam
Seriously don't waste your money on roller tip rockers on a mild motor. Especially 1.6 ratio unless you know the specs on the springs and cam. You could get into coil bind and one thing commonly overlooked is the fact that 1.6 rockers will bring the pushrods in towards the valves more than 1.5 rockers and they could rub on the heads.
Just for info 1.6 rockers will get you about .300-.400 more lift depending on the original lift of the cam
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by MotorHead
Just for info 1.6 rockers will get you about .300-.400 more lift
He probably types as fast as his car goes!!!
Eddie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
rockers
1.6 are ok, and, any thing you can do to cut friction is in your benefit.
If it's a stock engine,(just a rering or a bore job with stock pistons)you will be ok.
If it lopes at idle, and it's not severe, to see in your garage b 4 you spend money on a set of rockers you can't use, add a .045 feeler gauge to one intake and one exhaust valve between the rocker and the valve, adjust the valves with the engine off, and by hand, pull it through till both valves operate and go back down on their seats. if no binding, or thunk, 1.6's are probably going to be ok.
If it's a stock engine,(just a rering or a bore job with stock pistons)you will be ok.
If it lopes at idle, and it's not severe, to see in your garage b 4 you spend money on a set of rockers you can't use, add a .045 feeler gauge to one intake and one exhaust valve between the rocker and the valve, adjust the valves with the engine off, and by hand, pull it through till both valves operate and go back down on their seats. if no binding, or thunk, 1.6's are probably going to be ok.
