Thread: Sunday Red: A 1932 Roadster Build Log Started in 2022

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I'm seeing a couple of comments/concern over the quality of the rockers I may be choosing. Here is my planned purchase from Summit: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-77780

Originally Posted by JimBeam

I'm seeing a couple of comments/concern over the quality of the rockers I may be choosing. Here is my planned purchase from Summit: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-77780

I have been watching this thread and stayed away as I’m more of a SBC guy. I’ve done a few Ford builds in the 289/302 era of Mustangs and Falcons (1960’s) but they were pretty much stock in terms valve trains. The 5.0 you’re working on represents a lot of Ford factory engineering and in my opinion, Ford got a lot of things right and aside from converting to a carbureted from FI and a set of headers, I’d just slap on some eye candy. The rocker arms you’re looking at will add virtually zero in terms of noticeable performance on the street and you won’t even get to see those pretty red aluminum guys at work! To take advantage of what roller rockers were designed for you’d need to dump $10G in the internals and see north of 6,000 RPM on a regular basis – not what you’ve described as your desired outcome.

In my world, $650 is a good chunk of money and for your build, I’d put those dollars into polished aluminum valve covers and a sexy air cleaner setup.

Regards,
Glenn

Originally Posted by glennsexton

....
In my world, $650 is a good chunk of money and for your build, I’d put those dollars into polished aluminum valve covers and a sexy air cleaner setup.

Regards,
Glenn

I agree with Glenn 100%. Apply that $650 to something like gauges, which you'll need.

Originally Posted by rspears

I agree with Glenn 100%. Apply that $650 to something like gauges, which you'll need.

Yes, the discussion of money is a whole other ball of wax. My top priority for this project has always been that I don't want it to languish, I want to finish it relatively quickly - it's called cruising not mechanic-ing . I say that knowing full well of the old saying "cheap, fast, good, pick any two". I'm not married, I don't have kids and if I told you what I spend on rent, I'd probably make you cry. My only obligation in life is to myself and my dog. So if this project costs me a couple bucks, that's OK.

Originally Posted by JimBeam

I'm seeing a couple of comments/concern over the quality of the rockers I may be choosing. Here is my planned purchase from Summit: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-77780

Another consideration, those are not self aligning rocker arms, you will also need to install studs for the rockers and guide plates for the push rods if your heads don't have them. Your stock rockers use a fulcrum for a pivot instead of a ball which also keeps the rocker arms and pushrods in alignment. Your rockers show some wear, if the engine were mine I would replace the stock rockers with new OEM style rockers made for your engine and spend the money on something that would actually improve the build. Did your machine shop check the cylinders for size and roundness? Stock blocks with some mileage tend to have a cylinder or two that are egg shaped a few thousandths which will have an adverse effect on ring seating. How much are they planning to hone the block, and what will your piston to wall clearance be when the block is honed?