Speedway roller rockers for small block?

-
Dartish

Dartish

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
652
Reaction score
359
Location
Iowa
Anyone tried the Speedway or any other "economy" priced roller rockers for la small blocks. I've always been a believer that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! I know Harland Sharp makes quality rockers, but there seems to be a lot of roller kits out for 1/3 the price of the sharps. Wondering if anyone has any experience with these. I've always been a fan of the old 273 adjustables, but seems you can buy a new set of these rollers for less then the used 273 pieces. Guess if they fly apart or don't ride on the valve stem where there supposed to, they're not a bargain at ANY price. Theyl be used on a 360 street motor with single springs and a nos Direct Connection 528" 286 solid cam I've had for about 30 years Still in the box
 
Most of the economy rockers say not to use above a mid 400 lift cam.I had a set of Proform aluminum rollers about 20 years ago and that statement was with the instructions. Just a thought..
 
That's what I was thinking. Just wanted to check with some of you guys. I had a set of Pro forms on a svc years ago with 460" Cam and Z28 spring. Total junk!!!!! Was hoping after 20 years someone would of figured out how to make an affordable set that fit and work
 
Save your money man! I too years ago bought a set of pro-form aaluminum 1.5 roller tip rockers. Truns out (after using dial indicator on about 1/2 of them the raito was all over the place!!! Anywhere from 1.3 -1.42. Not a single one was a true 1.5 raito lesson learned! Got a set of comp cam's pro magnum 1.5 rollers & man that rocker swap alone woke my ol 340 up like crazy! Get what you pay for!
 
Just had our last swap meet of the year around here. Found 1 guy at the while place selling Mopar stuff. An intake, a set of rusty chrome valve covers and a 904 with a crack in it. All the la Chevy and Fox body parts you could imagine though
 
There are several lower cost options for rockers out there. Never got the needle bearing on a reciprocating shaft. Asking for trouble, but they use them on chevvies so they must be good.

Any time you change the rocker, lift, base circle, stem height or add a roller tip, YOU MUST CORRECT THE GEOMETRY. There is no such thing as a bolt on roller rocker.


Spend some time at b3racingengines.com and read his tech stuff. A little time now will save many dollars and grief later.
 
I've had Pro/Form rockers on my 340 for about 10 years. I had one loosen up on me when I first put them on. But I figure it was installer error! ME!!! Haven't had any problems with them. Might be going on the new Blueprint Engines motor that I have coming to replace the old 340. Its a 408 stroker!
 
What are you running for springs and cam? Biggest complaint I've heard about pro forms for mopars is they have poor geometry and don't contact the valve tips very well.
 
Dartish said:
What are you running for springs and cam? Biggest complaint I've heard about pro forms for mopars is they have poor geometry and don't contact the valve tips very well.
Click to expand...


There is more to bad geometry than the rocker. B3 racing engines has some good tech on this if you are willing to read it.
 
Mopars have bad valvetrain geometry right from the factory..
 
stroked340 said:
Mopars have bad valvetrain geometry right from the factory..
Click to expand...
That depends what geometry you're talking about. The small block pushrod is angle is less than optimum, but that doesn't stop guys from spinning them to 8 grand. The rest of the stock Mopar valvetrain is as good or better than the other stock systems of its time.
 
lemondana said:
Most of Speedway's stuff comes from CHINA!
Click to expand...
And so does a lot of the name brand stuff these days. Check your boxes for country of manufacture, if they will tell you. Not a defense of Speedway/ProComp, although the few I've used haven't failed for their intended purpose.
 
Dartish said:
What are you running for springs and cam? Biggest complaint I've heard about pro forms for mopars is they have poor geometry and don't contact the valve tips very well.
Click to expand...
A roller rocker bolted on the stock stands automatically has bad geometry, regardless of the brand or how much you paid for them.
Roller tip alignment is dependant on the length of the rocker. It is not proper geometry like all the performance books and magazines have been telling us for 50 years.
 
So when you pay $700 for a set of rocker arms, how much more time and money do you spend before they're correct?
 
Dartish said:
So when you pay $700 for a set of rocker arms, how much more time and money do you spend before they're correct?
Click to expand...
Usually the same as a $200 dollar set, sometimes more depending on the rocker. If they are Harland Sharps, or a copy of HS, expect a real hassle.
 
stroked340 said:
Oh NO problem there..
Click to expand...
No problem for whom? There are a lot of well known builders out there who don't do it right. You seem pretty confident, so I'd be interested in hearing your explanation of proper rocker and valvetrain set up.
 
Don't want to hijack this thread, but for a mildly modified 340, are roller rockers worth the cost. My 340 is right at 375 HP, and I was thinking about buying a set of Comp rollers. However, I don't want to spend a lot of money for only a small gain.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top