That's awesome to hear Rhett. I may be starting to save to put a deposit down on my own set and hope Tom is able to get them started up again. That is if I can ever get my engine finished and back into the car!! Can't wait to see the back to back results!
I've been reading about Tom's roller rockers via Google searches but I've finally joined the forum. Is there any update as to whether Tom is doing any more of these? This seemed to be the most recent thread I could find about them. Thanks, Pete
Welcome Pete I'll let Tom speak for himself, but I know his machinist is working on the next batch, very slowly. Tom himself has been busy on his own projects, like building a new shop. The wait will be worth it though for the people who have deposits down, I am lucky enough to have a set and very pleased with their performance gains. As far as dollar for dollar performance gains on a stock appearing nailhead in the meantime, I'd look hard at a Q-jet and solid lifters with adjustable pushrods..They produced tangible ET gains for me (there's a thread on this, somewhere) Good luck!
IM sure there are others in line, as I am also waiting for updates on Toms rockers as well!!! :bglasses: Wheelz, Tampa Bay
Thanks Rhett. Hopefully Tom will pop his head in. The engine I want to build is for my hot rod. I am running 4 new 2 barrel Strombergs on it so I'm probably not getting the advantage of a modern 4 barrel. I am looking for just a nice running engine that is a bit better than stock. Got some research on here to decide what mods to make so any advice is appreciated. It looks like the roller rockers are a relatively simple modification that has tangible benefits. Cheers, Pete
Tom, pardon me if this has been asked before, are there any aluminum valve covers on the market that will clear your rockers? If not, where does the interference occur? On the top, side, or both? Have you or anyone you know successfully modified Buick aluminum valve covers to work with your rockers? I am planning an engine repaint and clean up and would like to get Buick aluminum valve covers but also want to be able to use you rockers in a future build.
Hey Tom!! I ran across a retired 29 year Buick Service Master technician whos main objective was making NAILHEADS BREATHE... he has offered me a BUICK HEAD TOOL made BY Buick, FOR Buick nail heads... J-5251 valve/valve spring removal made easy ~ COMPLETE. Excellent used condition. Nostalgic early engineered 60's Buick Tool at its finest! $185. Interested? Also has an almost new, set of 66 425 heads he is considering selling.... any interest? Wheelz, Tampa Bay
Slapped a deposit down in Nov 2010 and am STILL waiting! "Patient am I now"- sez Yoda Last couple months get no answer when I ring both of Tom's phones. PM sent the other day no reply yet. Sure would be nice to hear from you Tom.
I'd be interested in selling a set of Tom's rockers I've never installed. I just never got around to it. My Cat has enough grunt for me as is. I'd take $950 + shipping. Rick
Pm received from 64buickfan. I assume bigpig455 is only interested if no one else steps forward. Rick
Oh man. This is very tempting. I have been wanting a set for a long while and waiting on them to be available again. Have no clue what they had been selling for. If Rhett says its a fair price then I would consider this if it gets to me. And Im in Houston so no shipping!
Order of interest shown: (I am assuming bigpig is out since others have shown interest) pm from 64buickfan (waiting on his response) pm from twoprimos post from 66bulldoggs ill give 64buickfan a fews days then on to twoprimos and then 66bulldoggs. rick
Well, since I've got a few minutes to myself I thought I would post what's happening as of NOW. I've been promised I WILL have a set of prototypes for testing before the spring. If ALL goes well I should have them available by the later spring. I will just say I've been promised in the past & it hasn't come to fruition. This has been a LONG time coming & if it doesn't happen will be ANOTHER BIG letdown. I NEVER asked for a change. It was done without my knowledge & turned out to be a WRONG decision on the manufacturers part. This, of course, cost him some big $$$$ & one of the reasons it has taken sooooo LONG. Problem is I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. They have over 30K of mine & others $$$$$. If I tell them to shove it you know what happens to the 30K. So I have to be patient & wait. I have NO recourse. For those who cannot/will not/ or for ANY other reason need your deposit $$$$ back just let me know. I have had to send about a dozen back so far for various reasons. NO ONE CAN BE MORE UPSET THAN MYSELF. You all don't know the aggravation this have caused myself & I'm sure many others. I feel for all that have deposits with NO end in sight. You have ALL been patient & I applaud that. Hang in there I'm working on it. I know "Hang in there" seems to be longer than I or ANYONE has anticipated. It's just is what it is. It's been out of MY control for a very long time. Do you think I enjoy seeing possible sales go to someone else who basically took my design. I worked with this person for over three years & nothing was happening. Once I told them I wanted ALL my stuff back shortly thereafter they had completely "Re-designed" everything I did & called it there own. So much for being honest. Oh well, I guess that's life. I'm NOT putting this person down. A business decision was made & they went with it. They have been surprised by the demand. I applaud them for this. Again, it is what it is. Sorry for the rant & I hope this answers some questions. NO ONE CAN BE MORE DIS-APPOINTED THAN I!!!!!! Tom T. P.S. If the set I sold was one of the 1sst. 50 sets all should be OK. If they were purchased after the 1st. 50 sets they MAY be some of the the sets that got out BEFORE I was aware of the problem with the next sets. Just a FYI.
Tom, how would we know if we were in the first 50 sets? Is there a stamping somewhere or paperwork that came with them? Thanks - Cheryl