I am doing an engine buildup and was wondering if it would be worth going to a roller tip or full roller rocker arm as opposed to a stock stamped rocker. I will be running a Comp Cam XE 268 cam that is good to 5800 rpm. I was looking at the crane or comp cam roller tip rockers. Would they be worth it over the stock ones?

 

guess it all depends on what you consider "worth it" i like the comp full roller rockers

 

If your just looking at the roller tip I would just save my money. However, if your looking at the full roller set up then go for it! Either the Cranes or my favorite the Comp Cams Pro-Magnum.

 

Roller tip are a good economy choice for a daily driver. The roller takes the side load off of the valve stem, and if you don't already know about SBC valve guide wear problems...

 

Yes, it's definitely worth it. The stock stamped ones are garbage. THey have no consistency in their ratio, and they flex an incredible amount in operation. It you ever watched a stock valve train under a strobe light while running, you would not believe how much those look like rubber bands. A stock valve train will lose .030" or more of its "theoretical" valve lift due to poor rocker performance.

The Comp steel roller-tips are an excellent bang for the buck in a mild street application like you describe. I would absolutely not use aluminum ones. Full roller ones are good but not really necessary; they will lower the oil temp measurably, but will cause valve cover issues. Again, the Comp steel product is the best choice for a street motor. Don't go with the "low bid" aluminum ones no matter what.

 

Are the crane roller tip ones any good? Found a new set on ebay for a good price.

 

Oh ya, what about the pushrods while i'm at it. Will the stock ones be fine?

 

Whats the problem with aluminum rockers?

 

Nuthin, the lighter the better.

 

Aluminum rockers weigh more than steel ones; and they are prone to fatigue failure, which doesn't happen to steel. They are the wrong choice for a street-driven motor.

 

Get new ones to go with the new rockers. Once run together, they shouldn't be switched to another (although plenty have gotten away with it, including yours truly).

I've heard they're made by Elgin, can't back that up with facts. They're stamped steel with elongated slots, slightly better than factory, but not as good as the Comps.

 

Well, I picked up the Crane steel roller tip rockers off ebay (new in box) for $80 is that a pretty good deal? Summit has them for $165.95 + $6.95 handeling.
I am going to put in me XE268, dart 2.02's, and Weiand Action plus intake this weekend! (and the rockers of course) Can't wait to feel the difference in power!

 

Those are stamped sheet metal like stock ones, not investment cast like the Comp ones (which look somewhat similar to aluminum ones except for being made of steel). Nowhere near as good of a part but maybe somewhat better than stock.

Let us know how it works out.

 

This is what the Cranecams website has to say:
"Roller tip helps to eliminate friction, and side loading of valve stem. Extra long slot accommodates increased valve lift. Highly accurate modern manufacturing techniques insure correct rocker ratio. Made from stronger alloy with improved heat treat. Most economically priced roller tip rocker on the market."
So the "Made from stroger alloy with improved heat treat" is a bunch of BS Can I expect the same .030 flex from the crane rockers just like the stock rockers? I will be running a XE268 cam to 6K hope they hold up!