Rocker Arm/Shaft Quandary

[Ford428CJ]

Here is the updated Crane Cams P/N  34791-1

[R-WEST]

Thanks a lot for all the input guys. 
Tried my darnedest to come up with an OEM setup, but there's not much out there, except for some questionable used stuff on e-Bay.
Ken at Oregon has everything except the rockers
I talked to that Graham guy - he doesn't have any.  He said they're around $650 (!!) just for the rockers when he does have them. 
Doug at P.O.P. has everything except the shafts, so I'm leaning that way, especially since I'm using his pump/driveshaft; that will be one less order to place.  He said the shafts will be in any time, or, I can use OEM replacements.  So I looked at H-S and Comp - they're around $140-150 for the set, but Sealed Powers are only $60 for the set.  Dunno if H-S and Comp are a gouge, or are the S.P.'s imported junk?  I don't mind paying for quality, but I don't like being gouged, either..    I guess I could get a pair of each and have 'em checked out, especially with Summit's easy return policy!!
[edit] Yikes!! Just checked - those Comp shafts are $140/EACH!!    Must be really good steel or something..  Okay, I'll use the H-S's, at ~$205 for the pair, I guess. [/edit]
BTW - You guys are the best!!  I really appreciate the wealth of FE info available here!!

[R-WEST]

Here is the updated Crane Cams P/N  34791-1

Wow, they're $900 at Jegs.. 
Good grief..

[afret]

In most cases new stock shafts should be more than adequate if you're going to use end stands.  That should save some money. 

 If you're going to run a big solid roller cam and matching springs then the thick shafts might be better but then again at that point the race T+D setup would be the way to go.

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Thanks afret.  This will be a fairly mild effort, for now. 

If the 'boss' approves the expenditure for the aluminum 482 in the future, we'll probably be looking at a more aggressive cam/springs arrangement.

I ordered both the H-S and Sealed Power shafts from Summit - we'll have a look and see if there's any glaringly obvious differences between them. 

As soon as Doug gets back to me, I'll have the rest of the valvetrain setup on the way from P.O.P.  Woo-hoo!! 

Now, to get back to trying to find the right pieces for the interior, body, etc..  Holy mackerel - the chrome trim strips for the sides are $600; chrome for the tailgate is $600; grille shell is $600, a lot of $600's...    I'm running out of blood plasma to sell.. 

[R-WEST]

We ended up using the H-S shafts, along with the P.O.P. rockers/spacers/end supports/studs/etc.. 

According to Dan at Rhodes Performance:
1. The H-S shafts are a good bit heavier than the Sealed Power OEM replacements.
and,
2. "Wow, is that rocker system impressive.  That is some top quality equipment right there".
This from a guy who does a lot of dirt track engines and BBC's/BBF's for truck pullers.

Plus, they'll fit under my chrome "Powered by Ford" valve covers.

Good to hear something uplifting as my project crawls along at a snail's pace..   

[fairlanegt427]

hey guys.  precision shafts make some really nice shafts and stands with the end supports for 600.00.  it is nice stuff.  also i have t@d stuff on my pond 482 all aluminum motor and the t@d stuff hasnt moved at all.  granted its 1300 bucks.  but usually engine failure comes from top end.  whats your motor worth?  dont be cheap with the valve train.  most important thing is the end support stands, thats where they break.  have lots of friends with fe experience and i have never seen or heard of fe factory shafts breaking in the middle.  its always at the end. hope this helps

[Richard F]

I believe stock shafts with end supports are fine until you start to get radical.  JMO