i have a set of crane energizer rocker arms that i used on my 305 that had perimeter bolt valve covers. i'm picking up a set of 083 heads for my 350. what can i do to make my rocker arms work with these heads and stock valve covers?

 

well, i have a set of 193 tbi heads i slapped on the block and mocked up the cam/lifter/push rods/rocker arms and worked with the valve covers a bit. had to take the oil baffles out completely and then i had to straighten out the brackets that hold the bolt tubes....they were bent inwards at the end and hitting the rocker arms, so i just bent them straight and they work better now.

i don't have gaskets on there right now so my mockup is only so accurate, but does anyone think i will run into problems running a full sized aluminum roller rocker on a stock 083 head? it seems that the poly locks are hitting the valve covers...but i think the gasket thickness will cure that issue.

 

You will have trouble with various parts of the VCs not fitting between the rockers; the bolt hole places, and the oil baffles.

 

here is what i started with

 

in this picture you can see what i did to make it work. i removed the baffle and straightened the end of the braces that hold the bolt tubes. now, no more interference. i bought a set of nice rubber gaskets (hehe, they're blue) and got it all mocked up again and it seems that i will have no clearance issues whatsoever.

 

I think though not sure but the area between the rockers is gonna be your biggest problem b/c of the wide body on the Crane Enegizers. I think you are gonna need the narrow ones and if you go with the 1.6's you are gonna have to shave those stands down for clearance.

 

what would happen if i took those things out completely?

 

The tops of the valve covers would probably deflect under the load of the bolts and not seal quite as well without the internal support.

 

hmmm...wonder if i could come up with some other means of support...

anyway, i have the cam/rockers mocked up with the valve covers on, and even with my ears on the covers, i can't hear anything...i think i'll be fine.

 

My 1.6 RR's fit on my LT1 heads without a problem.

 

what kind of RR are they?

 

Doesnt Comp. make a set that fits?

 

trying to avoid spending any more money than i have to...but yes, they do have a set...as does crane.

 

Didnt see that the first time. Did you end up having to cut out the supports?

 

nope, all i did was straight the ends out. if you were to look at it the ends on the supports had an L shape to them, now they look more like a l shape.

 

I've found the internal oil baffle box to be the biggest problem area. Really fat rockers can be tough to fit around it. I've had good luck fitting reasonaly priced Harland Sharp rockers under centerbolts doing nothing but squeezing the baffle box just a smidge skinnier with a big pair of pliers. Anything fatter than that and it's a toss-up whether you can make them fit or not.

I wouldn't recommend removing the baffle box completely- they do a very good job of keeping oil from getting up in the PCV valve and off the outside of your valve covers. They are there for a reason.

 

too late...lol! i'll be using a baffled grommet instead. unless someone would like to donate another set of valve covers (stock)

 

Another option is to look at the Moroso's. But they ARE $$$$$!! But other than that I see no other way. Jist my.02

 

are you talking about the fabricated aluminum ones?

hmmm...i have an in at moroso...i'll give rick a call later on.

 

My rockers are C.A.T. brand aluminum roller rockers. THey will wokr fine for my application. I only cruise my car around town and auto-x race so....