Rocker Arm/Shaft Quandary

[R-WEST]

Still trying to come up with adjustable rocker arms/shafts. 
Ken at Oregon Cams has a good setup at a decent price (relatively speaking), but a month or so out, waiting on rockers;
Doug at P.O.P. has them, good price (relatively speaking..) but waiting a couple weeks for the shafts.
I can get Comp's kit right now.
From many years in the construction industry, I always worry when someone is 'waiting for something', because it often turns into a lot longer wait..
What to do??? 
In case it matters, cam is Comp 282S...

[afret]

There are others out there like Harland Sharp and T+D you might consider.

[Lenz]

I just installed a set of Harland Sharps on my 445.  The ones I purchased are Summit part CSP S4006B, bronze bushed with roller tips.  They also carry full rollers and complete rocker/shaft assemblies, usually in stock with most parts.  What I bought worked well on my OEM shafts which were in good condition.  You'll want to consider end stands too if you don't have them.  Nosing around on Summit's site will let you know what's out there, available right now.

[cjshaker]

And nothing says that you have to purchase a complete set-up from the same supplier. Oregon Cams does have a nice support set-up, but if they don't have rockers then get a set someplace else. The Oregon Cam support set-up with Harland Sharps rockers and HD shafts make a nice combo, and that's what I currently have. That's the nice thing about the FE system, most all are designed around the same shaft diameter, so all it takes is some spacers to match any set to just about any head, except for the obvious HighRiser head which uses the short stands. Complete system or bought separately, they all need to be fitted and checked for proper clearances/spacing anyway.

[R-WEST]

Excellent advice, guys, as usual - what a great resource this place is!! 

I was worried about compatibility issues with one guy's parts and another guy's rockers or shafts.  Wasn't that something that happened with Erson's stuff before?

I'll keep digging.

BTW - once I get this particular engine together, it's going in this:


Then, hopefully, it'll get an aluminum 482 after the rest of it's complete (I may have to take out a 2nd mortgage just for LMC Truck ) .  I'm overkilling the 390 now, hoping to re-use some of the parts on the big engine later..      

[bn69stang]

You cant go wrong spending money on your valve train , if plan on high end build at some point listen to all these guy s , pick and choose your parts and enjoy the building of your  f e  , take a look at the  t @ d setup  jmo   Bud

[blykins]

I've found that if you start trying to piece together good parts, you end up with more money in the setup than a new set of T&D's.  If you buy individual parts, including rocker bodies, spacers, shims, shafts, stands, studs, etc., it will add up very quickly.

[jimeast]

What about a factory set, with Doug's end-stands?

[blykins]

Not a bad idea at all if you have a complete factory set and it's all in good shape. 

I just finished a 428CJ build and had full intention of reusing the factory non-adjustables in the build, but after I got into the part inspection process, I found a bent shaft and some other issues....plus I still had to order end stands and spacers. 

[bill_396]

What about a factory set, with Doug's end-stands?

I second jimeast's point. In my opinion almost any available shafts are fine to .600" lift with POP end supports.

[Ford428CJ]

I would also look into Oregon Cams as well. Ken makes a nice set up too. T&D's I feel are over kill for most guys but that are my personal thoughts... JMHO

http://www.oregoncamshaft.com/428-FE.html

[Ford428CJ]

Harland Sharp set up

http://www.jegs.com/i/Harland-Sharp/851/S4006BK/10002/-1?parentProductId=#moreDetails

[manofmerc]

No one ever mentions crane camshafts setup #34790-16 I have this on my edelbrock  headed 452 in my 66 comet it has been trouble free for several years .It is similar to the Harland sharp with aluminum rockers steel stands and end stands .It also comes with arp studs aluminum spacers for the rockers and an assortment of shims .I had one of the first production runs of this rocker system .I had to have my rocker shaft stands milled to get my valve train geometry correct but from my knowledge crane has corrected all that .Like others have said maybe find a used set of  factory rockers and upgrade those with end stands .On the used stuff be careful sometimes the threads for the adjusters are lose you can buy oversized if that is the case .FE valve train parts are sometimes the most expensive part of the engine .But I don't want to be bending or breaking shafts and rockers either .Good luck to you Doug

[ScotiaFE]

No one ever mentions crane camshafts setup #34790-16 I have this on my edelbrock  headed 452 in my 66 comet it has been trouble free for several years .It is similar to the Harland sharp with aluminum rockers steel stands and end stands .It also comes with arp studs aluminum spacers for the rockers and an assortment of shims .I had one of the first production runs of this rocker system .I had to have my rocker shaft stands milled to get my valve train geometry correct but from my knowledge crane has corrected all that .Like others have said maybe find a used set of  factory rockers and upgrade those with end stands .On the used stuff be careful sometimes the threads for the adjusters are lose you can buy oversized if that is the case .FE valve train parts are sometimes the most expensive part of the engine .But I don't want to be bending or breaking shafts and rockers either .Good luck to you Doug

In the days of yore Crane made a set of alum rockers that did not work out well.
It could be the sour taste, or...availability. I'm not seeing any real stock in the spider web stores.

Would you have any pictures of this new system say set up on a head?

[manofmerc]

No Howie I have no pictures .From my memory this came out around 2005 .The crane catalog has this rocker setup in it Other than my needing to have the stands milled It has worked great for me .Weather or not it is available is up for discussion .Here is a # for them 386 258 6167.Several years ago in hot rod magazine Joe Sherman built a fe stroker based on a 428 block and ported edelbrock heads .If my memory is correct he used the crane rocker setup I am mentioning