who else (OTHER THAN TA) makes a good roller rocker?

Just wondering what the other options are.

 

I know Poston sells them for about $500, I don't personally know anyone that uses one, so I don't know how good it is though.

 

I guess I should rephrase that:
I'm not just looking for other manufacturers, but also someone who knows of a good roller rocker from experience, other than TA.

 

T&D makes the best out there. That's who makes TA's rollers. Not a direct bolt on part. The pedestals need machining first, but a better set up. Gary Kubisch (GS Kubisch) has 'em on his car. They're not cheap either. I think they're around $1000.

 

choke... gasp.... $1000? Wow! definitely not in the budget, but thanks for the info. Maybe someday down the road.

 

Ditto, plus 200-300 hundred more for the machine work on the heads.

Spoke to Gary on the topic (the guy knows his sh%t). I went for the nut and bought them for the new heads that JW is doing...any day now:Brow: Also Jesel makes a roller rocker setup like the T&D I thnk it may be more in cost than the T&D.

I found Gary's post and pasted it here with his photo:

"If you're gonna run a roller cam.....
While planning my current motor I heard all the problems occurring due to broken rockers(due to being cut to fit around large valve springs) or improper valve springs.

On my engine builders advice we chose a longer than stock valve stem to get the 2'' installed height,which is a correct roller cam spring from Comp Cams.
These springs are 1.550 in diameter.
To properly clear the springs I chose T&D rockers that are mounted in individual pairs on a smaller shaft and use a SB Chevy rocker arm that will facilitate a 1.625 spring diameter.
The rockers mount to a sub-plate which is bolted in by the head bolts.This prevents the threads being pulled out of a pedestal or worse,the pedestal being broken.
The sub-plate is billet steel which recieves the billet pedestals.
With this set-up in place you can race with the piece of mind of having some of the best parts available and correct for the application.
My motor sees 6800rpm in the eyes and the springs test perfect after 75+ qtr. mile runs."

GS Kubisch has attached this image:

 

Steve,

Ask around you may be able to pick up a good used set of TA Rockers. I traded mine to John Csordas Jr. in exchange for parts needed for my stock rebuild on my Centurion. You can most likely find a used set for under 400 in good shape. With many winter projects underway you may find a set looking for a new home.

...actually I just thought of this one. Rob Chilenski of Stage 1 Auto is also switching to aluminum heads and looking for low 9's. I know he has his eye on a TD set-up also and may decide to get them, if so he is currently using the TA Rockers, call him and convince him to spend the money and buy the T&D's and sell you the TA's:Brow: Heck he's making enough between me and Doug Hecker keeping him busy.:laugh: His number is 973-839-4900

Rick

 

Rick,
Very nice set-up you got there.
And,by the way Postons roller rockers in the Winter 2002 catalog are priced at $639.00:Smarty:

 

That's a picture of Gary Kubisch's engine:Brow:

 

Steve
Harland Sharp is right here in Ohio(Strongsville).
They make rockers for the BB Buick.

They have a nice design,Good geometry.

www.harlandsharp.com

 

right to the description

http://www.harlandsharp.com/shaftsystems3.htm

 

Thanks Adam. Soon enough though, mine will look something like Gary's.

Rick

 

Man, that Harland Sharp setup looks sweet. Anybody run 'em yet? How much are they?

 

when people started running roller cams and were breaking the rockers they modified to fit over the larger springs,Harland Sharp was fitting their rockers on the existing shaft.
I guess they figured they would go ahead and market their own complete assembly.
I could check into pricing....My Engine Guy is Friends w/them.

 

Yes please!

Royden

 

I don't believe this post was started because of quality or strength issues with TA roller rockers, so I am taking the liberty to post some facts about our rockers and why they are the best rocker choice for 95%+ of the combinations out there. Only a few will need to go to the pedestal type rocker system. Taken from our website.

TA Roller Rockers

Background: Buick used a short length rocker design on their engines which made them vulnerable when using a higher lift cam. The additional loads can break stock rockers and/or shafts. Even some aftermarket roller rocker assemblies are prone to breakage and accelerated wear under high performance applications. TA Performance has a proprietary designed roller rocker assembly made by T&D. Though T&D already offers Buick roller rockers there was still a need for a more durable version, thus the Exclusive TA design. Our roller rockers are another fine example of TA Performance giving you the best product for the money.

FACT: .090" wider than standard roller rockers
FACT: The rockers are first bored .010" over the diameter of the shaft, then counter bored on each side to house the bearing assemblies. This process leaves approximately a 5/16" center support between the bearings for extra strength where it is needed most.
FACT: The rockers are relieved to clear most performance spring and retainer combinations. They can be further machined for larger springs such as those used on roller cam combinations. The additional .090" wider rocker with the center support make this possible, this can not be done with any other Buick Rocker!
FACT: 7/16" full threaded adjuster screws allow for adjustment for best valve train geometry. Some vendors use 3/8" which are prone to breaking.
FACT: Torrington roller bearings are used on the SHAFT. Some roller rockers use bushings on the shaft which are prone to walking out of the rocker. The use of bushings also increases drag and friction which consumes horsepower and reduces the life span considerably when compared to a rocker using roller bearings on the shaft.
FACT: Hardened 8620 SOLID Steel shafts with exacting tolerances around the bolt holes ensure the most material in vulnerable areas such as the front and rear bolt locations.
FACT: TA Rockers are made with 2024 billet aluminum that has a higher tensile strength than other rockers that are made from 6061 material.
FACT: A Special multi stage heat treat and conditioning process used on the adjuster screws provides the utmost in durability & Strength.
FACT: Shipped fully assembled with mounting STUDS as opposed to bolts, which reduces the wear and stress on the threads in the cylinder heads.

As a side note: We just serviced a set that had 160,000 miles on them! We replaced the shafts and changed 8 bearings. That's excellent longevity for roller rockers.

Here is the main rocker page for more info:
http://www.taperformance.com/rockers.htm

cost is $625

Thank You,
Dave

 

Also,To Dave's point,I ran TA rockers on 2 of my old Stage 1 motors.
Those rockers were approaching 1000+ 1/4 mile passes and never a problem.As far as I now they're still going.(Sold the stuff to build my existing deal.)

I say if you're not running a roller cam,you can't go wrong with rocker selection.
The cam and RPM parameters on our BB Buicks are fairly easy on valve train parts while still making good power.

 

Problem with HS

ChinaMikes car has Harlandsharp roller rockers in it and the adjusters broke after about 10 runs or so. Never over 6,000 rpm. We replaced them with ones from T/A and had no further problems.

 

That would be correct. I have no problems with the quality of TA's parts, and I know that your roller rockers are probably the best out there for most applications. Did you really feel the need to add this comment speculating why this post was started? (or is it always public knowledge what happens between TA and their would-be customers?)
I didn't say a word to anyone why I was asking.

 

Steve,

There was a pretty strong implication that you had some sort of problem with TA's rockers, maybe eve if it was only a price issue. Why else would you be asking the question the way that you did?

Dave was very justified to make that post.

-Bob Cunningham