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Roller rockers

I purchased a set of roller rockers 1.75 to 1 from Ted Harbit and I am wondering if I have a problem? When I bolt them on the head the valves that are open seem to be in quite a bit of tension even when I have all the adjustment taken out. I did not ask but now I wonder if the push rod lengths will need to be shortened? I know with hydraulic lifters that this would be required but I thought with mechanical lifters that they might be adjustable enough to compensate. Anyone know about this? Has anyone tried VW pushrods and cutting them down to length? Ted recommended using them in Dick Datson's book and was just wandering if they would work well in this case. The pushrod holes in the heads are tight and the narrower diameter VW rods would give a little extra clearance.

Reply to
PACKERBACKER
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Why don't you ask Ted???

Reply to
Dan White

Of course the valves that are open have tension on them. Adjust them only when the valves are closed and they are no where near opening or closing.

Reply to
Alex Magdaleno

I know that they should be in tension when the valve is opening, but these seam to be excessive and especially when all the adjustment is taken off! I just posted this to get other peoples thoughts about this, of course I intend to get a hold of Ted Harbit. His e-mail address does not seem to be valid anymore but I am going to try to call him. Hopefully the number is correct.

Reply to
PACKERBACKER

The greater than stock ratio will create greater than stock tension on the adjusting screw. I wouldn't worry about it as long as you can get the proper clearance when closed.

Reply to
Alex Magdaleno

Are you using stock Studebaker lifters ? If so, there shouldn't be a problem. The push rods seat in the bottom which would allow plenty of adjustment.

Jack

Reply to
jack767

I failed to mention that I also have installed heavier springs that Ted told me to purchase from Fairborn. I have talked to Ted since I first posted this and he says it should be good to go with the combination of parts that I will be running. Yes, they are the original lifters.

Reply to
PACKERBACKER

Has someone in a previous life shaved a good bit off the heads? Leading to the clearance problem? Do you think thick head gaskets would gain you enough clearance even with the slight drop in compression?

Ray

PACKERBACKER wrote:

Reply to
Studeman

Have you done anything to enlarge the pushrod holes in the head? If not you may get a" bind" when using 1.6 or 1.7 Rockers.

Reply to
KOOL R2

The heads are new ones that I bought from SASCO for an older lower compresion engine. (This is an R2 engine) I had R3 valves installed with the ports cleaned up in back of the valves and was running it this way with half dished pistons since I rebuilt the engine early this year. Now that I am installing the roller rockers, I drilled the push rod holes out from 9/16" dia. to 5/8" dia. but will still need to grind a little more clearance at the top of the holes for maybe four of the pushrods. I do not think they are actually rubbing but they sure look close!

Reply to
PACKERBACKER

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