Crane Gold Roller Rockers

Hello everyone. I need your professional advice. I am building a 306. The parts I've used so far are listed below. I just purchased a set of Crane Gold Roller Rockers (1.6) to install on a set of AFR 165 heads milled to 54cc with the upgraded spring package. I am considering stepping up to the 1.7 crane rockers, which will require me to change the rocker studs to 7/16" from 3/8". The total cost of the upgrade would be $120, including the rocker arm studs. The cam I have is the lunati P/N 51014, 218 (.500) intake, 226 (510)exhaust with 1.6 rockers. If I step up to the 1.7 rockers the cam would be 218 (.530) intake, 226 (.542) exhaust. The car will be a street car that won't see more than 6000 rpms. Is it worth spending the $120 on the upgrades or should I use that money for other performance parts? Also, if I use the 1.7 roller rockers what type of performance gain should I expect, if any, and will it affect the rpm range of the car. Thanks for anyone's help and opinion.

Stock crank
eagle rods
probe pistons
AFR 165s milled to 54ccs and upgraded springs and valves
ARP bolts (main, rods etc.)
Crane gold roller rockers
crane lifters
lunati cam P/N 51014
Block bored .030
FRPP oil pump
FRPP dual roller timing chain
stock distributor

THE 1.7 ROCKERS MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE VALVE GUIDE WEAR AND OIL CONSUMPTION. YOU ALSO HAD THE HEADS MILLED WHICH WILL CHANGE THE VALVE TRAIN GEOMETRY EVEN MORE..CHECK WITH AFR AND SEE IF THEY RECOMMEND 1.7 , AND ALSO THEY MAY PROVIDE THE CORRECT PUSHROD LENGTH..

If valvetrain geometery is right on, how do 1.7s increase oil consumption?

You will need to check for correct geometry, and you will most likely need special length pushrods.

the added valve lift will probably extend the rpm's a few hundreds at most. Is it worth it ? who knows.......... read here to find out how to check for proper pushrod lenght.
http://www.trickflow.com/product/for...rd_pushrod.asp



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the nature of a higher ratio rocker is such that it employs a greater lateral movement..this greater movement will equate to greater wear factor..with perfect length push rods you should enjoy good engine life....

As far as the negative effects of 1.7 or 1.72 roller rockers....Ford did install them on the 93(and later 5 liter) factory SVT, 5 liter. That in itself may not count for much, other than they still carried the same factory warranty as the regular 302.

I also know of several cars that have been running them almost since the engine were new; they are currently in the 100K+ mileage range and still running strong, with no appreciable oil burning. The roller tip would seem to address any side loading issues (you have to admit, A Timex watch and a 302 both take a licking and keep in ticking).[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_bow.gif[/img]

If the studs are installed incorrectly, or wrong rockers are installed (some people have installed the GM spec. roller rocker to save a few pennies or for availablity in the past, they are very close in appearence, but do not ride on the valve exactly right) or guideplates misadjusted...then I would be concerned.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Beoweolf on 4/20/04 3:21am ]</font>