Do i have to install roller rockers for roller cam kits or whats the alternative?

[noahzark]

HI...i bought a roller cam kit from full throttle 210/215...im trying to find a way to save a bit and im wondering if i could just buy some heavy duty rocker shafts and new buttons bolts etc for around 150 or do i have to buy a 500 dollars roller rocker set up from t and d or harland sharp...i started with a 5k budget and that sits at 10k as it is...im sure most of you know how it is...so im trying to find some ways with the rest of this build to save a little ...thanks for all help...noah.

[forcefed3.8's]

I run stock rockers with solid shafts with no problems.

[SouthernCal GN]

I use stock rockers and shafts- no problems as of yet.

1 thing I learned- don't get caught up in the fear of the engine breaking- just build it right and go have fun with it.

[turbofabricator]

Originally Posted by noahzark

HI...i bought a roller cam kit from full throttle 210/215...im trying to find a way to save a bit and im wondering if i could just buy some heavy duty rocker shafts and new buttons bolts etc for around 150 or do i have to buy a 500 dollars roller rocker set up from t and d or harland sharp...i started with a 5k budget and that sits at 10k as it is...im sure most of you know how it is...so im trying to find some ways with the rest of this build to save a little ...thanks for all help...noah.

The stock rockers on a HD shaft will work fine IF you have the correct length push rods. Lifter pre-load is VERY, VERY important on these engines. If you have more than .060" lifter pre-load you are leaving HP on the table. With roller rockers you have adjustability. With stock rockers you are stuck with what you have. If you have over .060" then you can shim the WHOLE rocker assembly up with .032" thick 5/16 aluminum washers. Place them between the rocker-shaft and the cylinder head pedistals. They will raise the rockers up about .035"-.037". DO NOT INSTALL ANY ROCKER ARMS WITH OUT CHECKING PRE-LOAD!!!! Rocker geometry is nothing to take for granted. Check EVERYTHING when assembling an engine. I installed a .032" washers on a 100% stock engine and the car picked up 3 mph at the track with NO other modifications. The lifter pre-load from the factory is WRONG on most Turbo Buicks. If the washers are not solving your pre-load issued then you can order adjustable push-rods from these guys: http://www.pushrods.net/images/adjustable.jpg Or you can step up to roller rockers, but they require grinding of the sides of the pedistals to clear. Here's what you need to do:

[noahzark]

thanks for the info...im using the pushrods that come in the cam kit full throttle sells...believe they are the 8.225" ones they are not adjustable...what im hearing most is that that will be fine... as long as preload etc. are ok as well...thanks again...noah.