BBC roller rocker
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
BBC roller rocker
OK, since i am doing a head and cam swap i figured i would try to do a roller rocker conversion as well.
i have been reading about taller valve covers, thicker gaskets, parts that supposedly work etc etc
i see that taller valve covers wont work because of the brake booster.
i see where people trim and beat the covers up but other than trimming the drippers id rather not go hard core hammering on them
so basically
anyone with a 454, stock valve covers, and roller rockers.
what all parts did you use, id really appreciate the help in choosing what i will need to put these in.
(if i stick with standard ratio 1.7 rockers normal length pushrods should work right)
i have been reading about taller valve covers, thicker gaskets, parts that supposedly work etc etc
i see that taller valve covers wont work because of the brake booster.
i see where people trim and beat the covers up but other than trimming the drippers id rather not go hard core hammering on them
so basically
anyone with a 454, stock valve covers, and roller rockers.
what all parts did you use, id really appreciate the help in choosing what i will need to put these in.
(if i stick with standard ratio 1.7 rockers normal length pushrods should work right)
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,260
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
A lot depends on if you have the dripper tabs inside. I know the Crowers and Comps will often fit....but remember that many aftermarket heads have the valve cover rail raised 1/4" which really helps with leaks and clearance and even at that often require thicker or double gaskets to clear roller rockers.
JIM
JIM
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
This is not a answer as to clearances between the valve covers and rockers. Just a observation on those parts. {1} They are about as bad to adjust as a Hemi. {2} you dont need them as HP improvement is negligible if any at all. A good set of long slot rockers is all that's necessary up to about 600+ HP or where every last ounce of HP is necessary......
anyway
anyway
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
This is not a answer as to clearances between the valve covers and rockers. Just a observation on those parts. {1} They are about as bad to adjust as a Hemi. {2} you dont need them as HP improvement is negligible if any at all. A good set of long slot rockers is all that's necessary up to about 600+ HP or where every last ounce of HP is necessary...... anyway
anywaythats the first time that i have heard that roller rockers are a waste.
i have read often that the roller tip didnt add hp but i keep reading over and over that roller rockers will add hp.
wer2xu how tall are those spacers.
they look huge.
what rockers are underneath the covers and how bad was fitting the covers under the brake booster.
sorry for the questions, i just cant afford to experiment.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,260
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
You won't measure the HP increase unless you move out to a 1.8 maybe. They don't hurt a thing...and are necessary when you get into more radical cams and higher lifts and spring pressures. Just depends on what you're building.
The stock GM Long slots like used on L-88's and LS-7's will do excellent too. I've run them to 7000+ rpm regularly with nasty flat tappet cams.
JIM
The stock GM Long slots like used on L-88's and LS-7's will do excellent too. I've run them to 7000+ rpm regularly with nasty flat tappet cams.
JIM
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 479
From: Appleton Wisconsin
I have the xe274 with comp full roller rocker arms under stock valve covers. I had to cut part of the upper nut down where the set screw goes. I also used 2 valve cover gaskets, get the felpro with the metal in between.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
which comp roller rocker, summit has multiple part #s for them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 24
From: Boston MA
If you tear out the dripper rails, a big fat gasket will work fine.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 479
From: Appleton Wisconsin
Stock valve covers with the drippers and two of the fel pro sandwich gaskets with metal in between. I also had to cut down the adjusting nut on the upper rocker studs. Did this two years ago without any problems and no spacers.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
buy the cheap TD valve covers for 69 bucks from summit when you order the harland sharp roller rockers and the felpro thick VC gaskets that cost 40 bucks, you may need to round the corner of the # 1 intake and #8 intake rocker arm to clear the indentation for the bolts. You will need slightly longer bolts, but this will work. Or use the crane roller tip rockers and the cool nuts with the original dripper VC's
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
In the beginning of the SB Chevy design some including Smokey Yunick thought roller rockers would add hp. Smokey, under contract, got an agreement to change the design to roller rockers if any hp was added.
Full rollers are needed for high rpm & when spring pressures are high to prevent galling of the ball pivot.
Increase in the rocker ratio can increase power by adding lift & some duration.
There used to be a lot of rocker topics in C3.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
This is not a answer as to clearances between the valve covers and rockers. Just a observation on those parts. {1} They are about as bad to adjust as a Hemi. {2} you dont need them as HP improvement is negligible if any at all. A good set of long slot rockers is all that's necessary up to about 600+ HP or where every last ounce of HP is necessary...... anyway
anyway
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Shortly after I got on the forum, someone asked & I posted roller rockers would not add hp. There seemed to be a stunned silence for awhile. Finally someone backed me up which was good because I was only going to post a few more words no matter how long the topic.
In the beginning of the SB Chevy design some including Smokey Yunick thought roller rockers would add hp. Smokey, under contract, got an agreement to change the design to roller rockers if any hp was added.
Full rollers are needed for high rpm & when spring pressures are high to prevent galling of the ball pivot.
Increase in the rocker ratio can increase power by adding lift & some duration.
There used to be a lot of rocker topics in C3.
In the beginning of the SB Chevy design some including Smokey Yunick thought roller rockers would add hp. Smokey, under contract, got an agreement to change the design to roller rockers if any hp was added.
Full rollers are needed for high rpm & when spring pressures are high to prevent galling of the ball pivot.
Increase in the rocker ratio can increase power by adding lift & some duration.
There used to be a lot of rocker topics in C3.
Rollers can and do maintain the ratio better than the stamped steel rockers. Now all rockers will lose ratio as the rocker moves towards the piviot point. But the roller will not slide back on the stud as it pushes down on the valve there by not reduceing the ratio any where near what a slotted rocker will.
