LA 1.6 Rocker question

[74desertduster]

Does anybody make 1.6 Rockers that can be used on stock LA head shafts? Have been looking for 1.6 but all I can find are roller kits for around $300...and I am cheap.

Thanks!

 

[fishy68]

$300 is a good deal for good rockers. Buy cheap ones and you usually get junk. One big problem when buying cheap ones is the geometry is usually off.

 

[ramcharger]

Crane used to make 1.6 non-rollers adjustables for IIRC, about 200 a set but I don't know if they are still available.

Fishy's right, you get what you pay for. Stay away from the imported stuff.

 

[74desertduster]

Are there any land mines waiting for me if I switch to 1.6 ratio? Is all I need the roller rockers and new push rods?

I have a 360 with a .454/.475 lift cam so it will boost it to .484/506.

Thanks!

 

[fishy68]

Are the heads stock? If so .475 lift is about the most you can go without having the valve guides cut down or the retainer will hit the guides. If their cut down the only other worry is the valve springs. Are they capable of .506 lift without coil bind?

Rockers and pushrods are all you need.

I'd forgotten about the Crane 1.6 ductile rockers Ramcharger mentioned. I've used them and they work good. Since their the same design as the stock iron rockers they are very forgiving on the geometry. Their not as fancy looking as the roller rockers but work just as good. I've read numerous reports showing the big power gain they claim from roller rockers we're debunked. There's just not that much friction there to gain much hp. Going to a higher ratio is what gains you hp, if your heads are up to it.

 

[70aarcuda]

crane is no longer in business....

 

[74desertduster]

Yeah...the Cranes would have been good...but alas

The heads are stock...if I gotta machine the guides then I may just forget about it. Didn't realize that was a problem.

 

[ramcharger]

There may be pushrod to head interferance too.

 

[74desertduster]

OK...time to come clean...I was planning on using Magnum heads on my LA block and have the entire rotating assembly, timing cover and oil pan sealed up.

I have a Lunati 60401 cam and with the 1.6 Magnum rockers, would have been exactly what I wanted.

But after spending $200 on magnum heads only to find them cracked...I really am afraid to use Magnums and for sure don't want to buy any used ones.

But I dread tearing the engine apart to switch the cam....that's why I was asking about 1.6 LA rockers.

 

[ramcharger]

You would have to have had the guides cut down on the magnums anyway. The only suggestion I can make is buying some EQ Magnums or stick with the LA style heads and forgo the extra bit of lift.

Cracking between the seats is a very common problem on used Magnum heads.