Rocker Arm Assembly

[larrysupersport]

Greetings,
I just purchased the Edelbrock Heads, cam, intake, timing set kit, (PN 2086) for my 68 Coronet 383. My question comes with the rocker arm assembly. The kit did not come with one, and I am trying to figure out what is the best kit for my application. You see a ton of different options with rollers and aluminum or stamped steel. What is the best VALUE for my dollar? And do I have to buy the shaft too or do I use the stock shaft?

Thanks
Larry

 

[eagleone1983]

I went with the Comp cam magnum adjustable rocker arms. I felt they gave the best bang for the buck. You will have to either buy new shafts or just use your originals

 

[lewtot184]

probably would depend on cam choice and budget.

 

[Andrew]

I would consider open spring pressure. That would be a combo of what springs you're using and cam lift. I'm no expert, but I was recently in the same position. I called Lunati (who I bought the springs from) and gave them my cam info. They told me how much pressure I had at max lift. Then check what the rockers you want are rated for etc..

 

[PoppaSmurf]

word of advice...be VERY selective of rocker arm assemblies, some of the "pro-form" stuff can be pretty cheesy, I have been using Crane or Harland Sharp rockers now for 15 years, and fingers crossed, not 1 failure..! the choices are many as you say....but this is one place where you dont want to skimp alot...you get what you pay for....the difference between a set that costs 150.00 vs a set that costs 400.00 is alot....bear in mind, your valve train is the heart of your engine... 1 little miscue, or failure could mean the life of your engine... study up, read articles from NHRA, NASCAR, etc etc.. MY CHOICE......CRANE or Harland Sharp..I'm including a link to Harland Sharps web site so you can look and or read bout what makes up a GOOD rocker arm.....http://www.harlandsharp.com/advantage.htm
let us know how you came out....

 

[Cranky]

I went with the Comp cam magnum adjustable rocker arms. I felt they gave the best bang for the buck. You will have to either buy new shafts or just use your originals

I don't see these offered for the big block on their site. I've always used the Isky 1604 but I don't think they offer the old style anymore. And stay away from stamped steel stock type pieces.

 

[larrysupersport]

My Edelbrock heads came with the springs and valves already in place. Maybe I will shoot them a tech email and see what they say.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Whatever you do have your Eddy heads checked for proper spring pressure and installed height!! My buddy recently got a set of Eddy heads and brought them over for me to check out and everything looked beautiful except I took note on how stiff the springs were. It was quite a fight with my old manual valve spring compressor and at that point I knew he needed more info. Well, he just bolted the heads on and killed the cam in the driveway. After this little set back he had the heads checked out and found the springs to have 155 lbs of seat pressure!!

I'm a big fan of the old iron adjustable rockers with 3/8" push rods but like Cranky said, Isky stopped making them. Crane is the only game in town and they are about $400.00 for a set. If you have the time you can usually find a set at a swap meet for $150.00 or less.

 

[383man]

I am using the Hughes rocker arms , shafts and hold down kit. They are holding up and working great and my brother has been using his for years with zero problems. Here is a link to them http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/...p&level1=Um9ja2VyIEFybXMgJiBBY2Nlc3Nvcmllcw== I use the hold down kit # HUG 7442 and the rockers # HUG 15103. Ron