Roller Rocker Arms
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 207
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From: Belmont California
Roller Rocker Arms
I'm going to spin my big block 427 to 7k rpm. What will suffice? Do i need Compcams gold race aluminum or pro magnum steel? Spring pressures are 450#. Cam is solid roller xr274 r10. I don't want to go cheap but the wife has caught up to my spending. I want to run stock appearing chrome valve covers.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 293
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From: Vernon B.C.
I ve run both types but really do like the pro magnums. I spin mine up to 7500 all the time with no problems. You might even have a chance of them fitting under the stock covers. I also run stud girdles and would recommend them on anything that's run hard. Just my .02 cents...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Sierra Foothills CA
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm going to spin my big block 427 to 7k rpm. What will suffice? Do i need Compcams gold race aluminum or pro magnum steel? Spring pressures are 450#. Cam is solid roller xr274 r10. I don't want to go cheap but the wife has caught up to my spending. I want to run stock appearing chrome valve covers.
depending on your total valve train weight, lift height, and max rpm determines the spring rate
depending on your valve weight get 200+seat and 500+ open to run 7000 rpm. What kind of lifters do you have, what oil pressure do you have? You need the best ARP high psi studs and good push rods.
I use Crane ultra pro roller lifters and CC pro mag rockers with the crane gold stud girdles Allen locking nuts cc pro mag push rods
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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I've run the Pro Magnums for years and they hold up well at 7500+ RPM. I did run a stud girdle also..but it's not a deal breaker by any means. Make sure you spend time getting pushrod length correct and just as important make sure the studs are long enough to get all the thread engagement in the adjuster you can. I didn't even like the "long" ARP studs for a BBC. I bought extended ones for a 351C Ford race setup and shortened them .300". Never had an issue.
I've gotJesel shafts now...but the stud mounts did fine. The only thing I ever saw happen to the Comps was if a lifter or something died and you all of a sudden ended up with a lot of clearance/lash...the outer shell on the bearing would break off. Never had any needles come out, but it would have been possible I suppose. Comp always took care of them for me.
Crane still makes some of the best rockers out there for sure. The geometry is better and they setup easier on aftermarket heads if you intend to go that way someday.
They make taller chrome covers that look just like stock..just a little taller. Most folks never notice.
JIM
I've gotJesel shafts now...but the stud mounts did fine. The only thing I ever saw happen to the Comps was if a lifter or something died and you all of a sudden ended up with a lot of clearance/lash...the outer shell on the bearing would break off. Never had any needles come out, but it would have been possible I suppose. Comp always took care of them for me.
Crane still makes some of the best rockers out there for sure. The geometry is better and they setup easier on aftermarket heads if you intend to go that way someday.
They make taller chrome covers that look just like stock..just a little taller. Most folks never notice.
JIM
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 118
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From: rancho cucamonga ca
When it comes to roller rockers in a big block, there is no such thing as suffice! In the 80's & 90's we used to run crane gold but in the 2000's their quality sucked and they did not seam to care, so we have been using Jesel shaft rockers. so far so good. 565 merlin turns 9 grand with no problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
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From: Seattle Washington
This might sound a bit strange but my last Motor I used Crower Rockers that I bought back n the late 1980's. My new Motor has Comp Cam's in it. The new Motor has notably more Valve Train noise than the last one. My new one has Aluminum Sheet Metal and my last had Stamped Steel Valve Covers. Supposedly Aluminum is better to suppress noise better than Steel. My Engine builder sez He would only use the Crower or the Comp's, and that the Comps make more noise than the Crowers. This makes no sense to me, but in the past He has been very good at diagnosing problems, that's why I use Him. On an other note, I have a 1996 C4 Grand Sport LT4 and little known tid bit is that these Engines were delivered with Crane Roller Rockers right from the general. There was also a recall on these Engines and Yes the Recall was the Rockers. My car has had the Recall. I have never figured out what the issue was.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
If you are asking purely about roller rocker arms. The high end stainless steel or your pro mags are on the top. Aluminum with high spring pressure are the worst. I had lower budget 30 years ago and bought Harland sharp and the the steel needle barrings hogged out the aluminum rockers.
sub 620 lift and under 500 pound max they might run a long time and be fine
sub 620 lift and under 500 pound max they might run a long time and be fine
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 118
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From: rancho cucamonga ca
We have a 468 the is for street use and we are using comp cams gold. Now this not a high rpm motor. A lot of roundy round guys are using the jesel in their big blocks. High rpm for a long period of time.