When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My engine has always had a slight tick so I had a local shop look at it. Turns out that the rods are too short and it still has the original springs. At some point a previous owner put in an aftermarket cam, no idea what it is. Getting the rods, rockers, and springs replaced. Pics below of what it looks like before replacement components.
I think Hot Rod Magazine did a test with them and it showed the roller tip doesn't really roll...it just slides like factory rocker would. The 15HP they may or may not pick up is probably from replacing worn parts like the rocker arms which may or may not still yield 1.6:1 ratio. Spend a little more for a set of Scorpion pedestal roller rockers. Of course, easy for any of us to say when it's not our money. You won't regret a sets of full roller rockers that still fit under a factory valve cover
I have the Comp Cams roller tip rockers on my 455. They're great. The main advantage of upgrading to the Comp Cams kit is that it allows you to set the valve lash.
If you want to do it properly, there is no short cuts. Pushrods in that kit may be, or may be not right length for you. It depends on several factors. Basic circle in your cam, real world valve length, and how deep are your valves riding in the valve seats. Also, if your heads are milled or not, or blocks deck surfaces. Even head gaskets compressed thickness. All these together are the variables that determine your pushrod length. You need to choose the rockers that you want, and measure the right length with adjustable pushrod. Geometry is right when the roller tip is in the same position on the valve tip with zero lift and full lift.
If you want to free some horsepower, you need to choose real roller rockers with roller tip and needle bearing. Downside is, they will not fit in the stock height valve covers without modifications.
I would not trust that kind of lock nuts provided with that kit. Do yourself a favor and get poly locks. They provide positive locking instead of friction only. I have been happy with Harland Sharp brand.
A way...which fits under the stock valve cover is using either Ford B351 (1.6) or E351 (1.7) pedestal mount roller rockers. They're the same geometry as the Olds stuff.
I think Hot Rod Magazine did a test with them and it showed the roller tip doesn't really roll...it just slides like factory rocker would. The 15HP they may or may not pick up is probably from replacing worn parts like the rocker arms which may or may not still yield 1.6:1 ratio. Spend a little more for a set of Scorpion pedestal roller rockers. Of course, easy for any of us to say when it's not our money. You won't regret a sets of full roller rockers that still fit under a factory valve cover
It may have been the Edelbrock aluminum valve covers but mine sounded like a sewing machine. I went to Scorpion 1.72 to 1 full roller rocker arms, whisper quiet in comparison. Whether they actually generate anywhere near 15 HP over new stock style rocker arms, on a very mild motor, probably single digit, if anything.
A way...which fits under the stock valve cover is using either Ford B351 (1.6) or E351 (1.7) pedestal mount roller rockers. They're the same geometry as the Olds stuff.
Ford rockers do fit. Geometry is still different Ford/Olds. It's because of different valve angles. Ford ones likes slightly longer pushrods. There might not be any other real Oldsmobile full roller rockers than Harland Sharp. Others are re-packed Fords. Nothing wrong using Ford ones with relatively mild cams, the problems occour only with high lift cams.
Those roller tips rockers are good for at least 50-75 HP according to the butt dyno. More since you used zip ties to loom the vacuum hose and wire to the fuel line.
