429/460 roller rockers. Who's gottem?

[broncman]

Have some money from taxes to upgrade my new truck. Allready have the suspension stuff to convert it from a 2 wheel drive 150 to a 250 for the good brakes and stuff.

Going to add a bigger oil pan to the C6 and a better cooler with a fan along with temp gauges. Going to an electronic style ignition and ditching the points. Converting to roller rockers as well.

I seem to have a couple options and was wondering if anyone here have done any of these. The heads are the 73 and later style that use pedestal mount rockers. Ford Motorsports have the bolt on blue ones that need NO guiedplates for about $399. Or I can use the Crane conversion kit and run the BIg Block Chevy roller rockers. About 100 bucks cheaper. Do not want to pull the heads and machine for standard roller rockers.

Anyone running roller rockers on their 429/460??

[Apogee]

I'm running them but I machined my heads for standard screw-in studs and standard roller rockers. Why don't you want to go that route? It's not that tough to do. Just for the record, I'm running Harland Sharps on the 429. I went with the Comp Cams Pro Magnum chromolly units on my 351 Windsor...they're much nicer units and no fatigue issues to worry about. I would highly recommend them over just about anything aluminum.

Just as a side note, my pushrod length ended up being custom on the 429...but I guess that's what I get for mixing and matching heads and blocks.

[bmc69]

I've tried three flavors. I run a set of Comp cams rockers on D0VE heads with screw-in studs and guide plates. I thrash that motor racing MX 4x4. No problems except pulled one stud out after over-revving (no limiter..) Easy fix between heats with a helicoil insert.

On the other two (D3 pedestal rocker heads) I have a set of Scorpions ($265 bucks complete) that are bolt-on and require no machining or guide plates and a set of Crane conversion rollers (don't remember what I paid for those)that use the little individual guide plate for each rocker and require no machining either. The Angus rollers are even cheaper at $250 a set and are essentially the same as the Scorpions.

I would say that I wouldn't use the bolt-ons for a serious high RPM application with high valve spring rates..but they have been fine for the truck motors so far.

[broncman]

BMC69 .... After further research I discovered these are the DOVE heads, so I am going to have to go screw in studs and guideplates. I will have to get a set of hardened pushrods correct??

Also what is the proper way to adjust the rockers since I will be going to rollers? It is a stock hydraulic cam. From what I gather I will be going from nonadjustable typr stock to the adjustable type rollers?? The heads should not need machined on these correct? I figure the pushrods will need to be somewhat longer because the guideplates go under the studs and add some height.

[78bronco460]

BMC69 .... After further research I discovered these are the DOVE heads, so I am going to have to go screw in studs and guideplates. I will have to get a set of hardened pushrods correct??

Also what is the proper way to adjust the rockers since I will be going to rollers? It is a stock hydraulic cam. From what I gather I will be going from nonadjustable typr stock to the adjustable type rollers?? The heads should not need machined on these correct? I figure the pushrods will need to be somewhat longer because the guideplates go under the studs and add some height.
If you get the bosses for the studs cut .100 (or the guide plates thickness) you can run stock length pushrods and maintain the correct geometry.
I have the Comp Magnum roller rockers on DOVE-C heads and they don't need any adjustment.

[bmc69]

If you get the bosses for the studs cut .100 (or the guide plates thickness) you can run stock length pushrods and maintain the correct geometry.
I have the Comp Magnum roller rockers on DOVE-C heads and they don't need any adjustment.

What he said..LOL. However, in my application, I'm using adjustable rockers with ARP 7/16" studs. The pushrods do have to be hardened for use with the guide plates. I adjust my rockers by firing order, rotating the crank 90 degrees at a time to get each cyl pair in TDC and then use a dial indicator to set the lifter preload to .025" beyond the point of zero lash.