Please excuse these dumb questions here....
All of my engine building experience is with smaller displacement non-US engines. So, I've been learning about large displacement US V8s (mostly SBF,BBF) over the last 5 or so years and can really appreciate some of the inherent design advantages (simplicity and large displacement). I have a Ford Racing crate engine in my GT40 - a basic 302 with alloy heads and large holley. It makes about 350/350 according to the specs (which is plenty for me). I have no idea if I have fixed length push rods (and should therefore periodically check valve clearance) or if they are hydraulic or self adjusting or ??
My questions relate to the advantages of roller rockers, and how to install. My engine does not have roller rockers, just the basic stamped rockers. I would like to install some Ford Racing (or equiv/better) roller rockers. As I understand it, they come in a couple different ratios (1.6 or 1.7) associated with the throw of the arm past the pivot point, and also a couple different "post" sizes associated with the thread size of the post upon which they mount.
1. How would one determine what rocker arm ratio (1.6 or 1.7) to use? Something easy? Other than removing the head and using some clay on the piston......
2. What post size? Do I go measure the current post size with a thread gauge?
3. Valve clearance. Do I install the new roller rockers and then measure the pushrod length with an adjustable push rod (with the adjustment in a mid-point position) and order new push rods? What if I have self adjusting/hydraulic "lifter"??
4. Any recos on good roller rockers? Ford Racing seems like a logical choice but is there a better choice?
5. I imagine there's a very modest hp/tq gain in moving to roller rockers - on a typical 302, what would that be? Maybe 10?
6. Will roller rockers allow the engine to turn up a little higher? I believe the rpm limiter (Mallory) is set at 5,500 right now. I'd love to be able to move it up to 5,750 perhaps.
Again, please excuse the newbie questions here. Appreciate any/all thoughts.
Thanks.
All of my engine building experience is with smaller displacement non-US engines. So, I've been learning about large displacement US V8s (mostly SBF,BBF) over the last 5 or so years and can really appreciate some of the inherent design advantages (simplicity and large displacement). I have a Ford Racing crate engine in my GT40 - a basic 302 with alloy heads and large holley. It makes about 350/350 according to the specs (which is plenty for me). I have no idea if I have fixed length push rods (and should therefore periodically check valve clearance) or if they are hydraulic or self adjusting or ??
My questions relate to the advantages of roller rockers, and how to install. My engine does not have roller rockers, just the basic stamped rockers. I would like to install some Ford Racing (or equiv/better) roller rockers. As I understand it, they come in a couple different ratios (1.6 or 1.7) associated with the throw of the arm past the pivot point, and also a couple different "post" sizes associated with the thread size of the post upon which they mount.
1. How would one determine what rocker arm ratio (1.6 or 1.7) to use? Something easy? Other than removing the head and using some clay on the piston......
2. What post size? Do I go measure the current post size with a thread gauge?
3. Valve clearance. Do I install the new roller rockers and then measure the pushrod length with an adjustable push rod (with the adjustment in a mid-point position) and order new push rods? What if I have self adjusting/hydraulic "lifter"??
4. Any recos on good roller rockers? Ford Racing seems like a logical choice but is there a better choice?
5. I imagine there's a very modest hp/tq gain in moving to roller rockers - on a typical 302, what would that be? Maybe 10?
6. Will roller rockers allow the engine to turn up a little higher? I believe the rpm limiter (Mallory) is set at 5,500 right now. I'd love to be able to move it up to 5,750 perhaps.
Again, please excuse the newbie questions here. Appreciate any/all thoughts.
Thanks.