I would say the #2 statement is false altogether.  I've got one customer who put 6000 miles on his T&D street rockers just this year alone.  I also have numerous other customers who have extended time on T&D streets.

If you do go with a factory setup, I would use studs and end stands.  Solid spacers are not required and the factory style springs work just fine.  I have numerous setups out there just like that.

Brent,
I'll defer to you and the other builders as you have a whole lot more experience than I do--I'm just relaying what the T&D tech wrote to me in an email.

Thanks for the recommendation on the studs and end stands, as well as the education on rockers in general.

Merry Christmas!

AC

Thanks for all the inputs on this.  It seems I've got my answers:  1)  T&D indeed makes really good stuff,  2) the standard T&D aluminum street rockers are not recommended for a daily driver due to fatigue, 3) Any engine builder worth his salt can pick the right combination for my application,

Additionally: 4)  for ~$1800 a set of T&D roller rockers with steel instead of aluminum rockers should work great for my application, or 5) for ~$300 a set of non-adustable steel OEM-style rockers that will also work great for my application. 

Next question:  for my mild application (hydraulic roller with <0.6" lift and running <6200 RPM), does it make sense for additional insurance to add ~$200 for some end stands and another ~$100 for spacers to replace the stock spacer springs?

Merry Christmas!

Quote from: ACHiPo on December 23, 2016, 04:10:50 PM

Finally got around to contacting T&D.  They recommend their steel rockers for street use--an extra $500.

So I seen the "an extra $500".
Well I must look that up.
I go to the T&D Machine Products site. Love that spiderweb.
They are not giving up the price there, but they do give out tech.
It say's that the stock type are 1.60 and the Blue Thunder Thor, 1-piece Stand    
1.650.
Is this true?
I have never measured a T&D rocker.
That's giving up a lot of cam if it is the case.
Most are measured at least 1.73 stock.

http://tdmach.com/bbf.html

They are 1.76:1, and I was wrong about pricing.  The Edelbrock kit is $1176 and the steel rocker option adds another $608.  I really like the idea of roller rockers, but for my cam and build, $1800 just seems crazy.  Ultimately I'll let my engine builder decide--like I said I'm just enjoying learning and figuring this stuff out on my own.

Finally got around to contacting T&D.  They recommend their steel rockers for street use--an extra $500. 

Quote from: ACHiPo on December 18, 2016, 06:57:52 PM

Quote from: blykins on December 18, 2016, 03:59:37 PM

Yeah, there are a couple of companies now offering complete setups with new rockers, shafts, springs, etc.   It's a great offering.

Brent,
Can you post or PM the companies? My search is coming up empty.
AC

Here is the typical pricing spread:
www.ebay.com/itm/252641867218

www.ebay.com/itm/162197188175

Several other vendors on eBay. Search "Ford FE Rockers".

Quite a savings over T&Ds that's for sure!

Yeah, there are a couple of companies now offering complete setups with new rockers, shafts, springs, etc.   It's a great offering.

Brent,
Can you post or PM the companies? My search is coming up empty.
AC

I don't think T&D meant that to dissuade you from buying their rockers.  They do have "street" rockers and "race" rockers and if aluminum caused that much fuss, then no other rocker manufacturer would offer aluminum bodied rockers.   Pretty sure Comp's Ultra Gold and Ultra XD rockers are both aluminum and they offer a lifetime warranty on them...

Brent,
Thanks.  I was wondering about their "Street" rockers and whether the comment I read applied to them.  I suspect they meant that race motors may only have a few hundred hours on them before rebuild, as opposed to a street motor that sees (hopefully) a couple thousand before needing a rebuild.  Everything fatigues, but steel is better than aluminum for a given design, which is not to say you can't use Al to make reliable parts.  Guess I can contact them and ask.

AC

I called them (T&D) when I was looking for a system for my truck.
Their words to me were something like, aluminum has a fatigue/failure lifetime.
So I'm sure they don't want folks running them everyday on the street, then wanting replacements if/when they fail. That would be a PITA.

Turbo,
T&D's fatigue statement is what I read that made me skeptical.  I'm ok with the initial cost if it makes for a reliable, fun car.  If I need to rebuild the motor every 20k miles (even if that's only every 10 years so not every day on the street, but whenever I want), I'd like a better solution.
AC