I'm looking to see if anyone out there has done the conversion from the single shaft rocker set up, to the pedestal set up, where each set of valves has a single pedestal.... I know it has been done the stage 3 and 4 heads, but I have stage 2 TE's and the roller cam I'm going to be running has some serious spring pressure, and I've been told that my single shaft roller set up will not be strong enough. I've called around, I got the price for just the rocker set up from TA and T&D, I'd like to know what the machine work ended up costing, and of course some pics. would be nice... Not sure if it will be harder to do on the stage 2 TE's compared to the stg. 3 & 4's, the new rockers have an .080 offset, and I guess some of, if not all of the push rod holes need to be plugged and moved... To those with the new aluminum block, are you going to run a roller cam?? If so, what rocker setup?? Thanks, Gary G.
when i talked to jesel they said if i sent them the heads theyd do it for $1300. i do know someone running the idividual t&d setup on a set of aluminum stage 1 heads but he didnt have to move the pushrods from the original location. Cody
I did a search and found a couple pics. that helped alot. I called Jesel, but haven't heard back from them yet. Talked to T&D, but it didn't sound like they would do the install... I'll probably talk to them again. Gary G.
Rocker Porn.....I like it!!! (can I say that here?) Anyways how big is that roller cam? I will be going to a solid roller in my TA block but I don't know what grind we will go with.....heck I cannot even decide what bore/stroke I want. Jim
You should call Scott Brown at Competition Components, he will set you up, and excellent customer service, (616)499-6223. He did a solid roller for me and it is awesome, better than 3/4 race cam I used to run!!!! Gary G.
The first pic was my T&D's.... I got them about 12 years ago and had the luxury if T&D doing the set-up. I like the T&D a bit better because the steel sub-plate that the pedestals mount to are tied-in w/ the head studs,With the Jesel's they are just bolted into the head itself. That said,I don't think you could go wrong w/ either system. Both are proven.
So guys. In your opinion, what kind of spring pressure gets to be too much for the shaft mount setup?
I got a PM from Dave Mongeon, he said he had run roller cams with 800 over the nose for many years without any problems, but did do some slight mods. to support the ends of the shafts. I'm going to be running 850 over the nose, and buzz this motor to 7500rpm and I do not want any weak links. Still not sure which way I'll go, but it will be either the Jesel or T&D's. And thanks again Gary K. for posting your "rocker porn" from back in the day. Gary G.
Are the shafts or the rocker arms the weak link? Usually what facilitates the need to move to a Jesel style system is that the spring pressure needed for a big roller cam requires a spring diameter that requires clearancing of the rocker arm. The rocker arm fails. Not sure if you are unsure about the shafts or rockers in a single shaft system? I'd be more concerned about the rockers, but the solution is going to be the same anyway. This certainly underscores the need for a better roller rocker.
"Are the shafts or the rocker arms the weak link?" Neither the shafts or the rocker arms are a weak link! The single shaft can be as reliable & stable as any multi shaft system! Problem is the limited package you have to fit everything in. You have a limited installed height + spring clearance. If you want it to last you have to work within that package. A few years ago it was hard to find a small dia spring that could provide the seat pressure and lift capability to run a large cam. Now with the popularity of small springs there are a lot better options. There are small dia springs out there now that will work with the most lobe lift you can probably squeeze out of a stock dia cam. .450 is largest lobe I have run, and it ran over 200 passes at 7400 -7500 every pass. I ran a 1.550 spring at around 1.925 installed 300+ on the seat 800+ over the nose. Cam design is important as well, that lobe lift on a 286/296 duration cam can roll as smooth as silk, put it on a 270/280 duration and it will feel like the motor is locked up. With the new block and ability to run a larger cam bore you will be able to run cam profiles well outside of this package so if that's your direction the multi shaft option makes more sense.
Dave, Just to be clear, the 1.55 spring that you are using requires no machining of a traditional TA/T&D roller rocker single shaft system with the cam profile that you listed? I can't imagine that that is the case. What am I missing? o No:
For the record mine were set up w/ a 2" installed height. And the valve spring technology wasn't what it is today..... That said,I'm a firm believer in overkill. I "over-built" my car from the get-go as much as I could to handle whatever I could throw at it in the future.
Didn't Kenne-Bell make a set of shaft mount rocker stablizers awhile back? They bolted on top of the shafts to eliminate shaft flix if I'm correct. Call this guy and see if he can do anything to help you guys out http://www.racecurtisbilt.com/ They are not roller rockers in a since. You have to read about them to understand better but they make the power like no other.
Bob Pac 1326 spring comp 721 retainer these are Stg4 rockers, they are clearanced for 1.550 springs Not trying to mislead anybody, your not going to run 750 lift and 800 lbs with std stg1 rockers! Your going to use a rocker designed for the job regardless of the style. Do some digging you can do it with a 1.50 dia spring or less. Gary overkill is good, shoulda done it then kinda gotta do it now. never seemed to have the time. Dave
Hey Dave... Glad to see you posting!!! I hope all is well with you and your family! Another advantage to the new Jesel setups is the light weight rocker arms. Engine builders are finding addition RPM usage with the lighter valve train components. Example: Say your peak HP is 720 at 7000 and then begins to drop. With the lighter valve train components you will have a peak HP of 720 but it will stay there for an additional 300 RPMs and then drop. This equals more overall MPH in the 1/4 mile.
Hi John everyone's doing good here. Hope all is well with your family also, how's your Dad? Haven't had much time for the car lately, too much time at work, Thanks for the info on the rockers similar to what there seeing with the smaller springs and retainers. Run the hawk much last year? Any changes planned for next year. Dave
