Magnum-La hybrids VS EQ heads

[PredaFran]

so I'm currently building a 5.9 magnum that still has the LA oiling holes.

I was gonna just get EQ heads with new valves and a Hughes spring kit with locks and retainers, and a guide plate conversion with small block chevy rockers. but I came across a pair of LA Edelbrock heads part number 6077 for a roller cam that have only 5k on them for 860 shipped.
my question is besides shimming and new pushrods, maybe adjustable rockers, and new head bolts, what other things would I need to accomplish the swap to the LA heads. the block has oiling provisions and i have some old rockers from my 318 I can use for mockup.

thanks for help and information FABO

 

[rumblefish360]

A lot depends on the state of the heads condition and flow. A better than stock rocker is a wise choice to make and pay for later on at an additional expense which might not be the case for your current situation?

Swapping to LA heads are the heads, rockers and shafts w/hold downs and new pushrods. Gaskets are gaskets. It is what it is.

 

[PredaFran]

A lot depends on the state of the heads condition and flow. A better than stock rocker is a wise choice to make and pay for later on at an additional expense which might not be the case for your current situation?
Swapping to LA heads are the heads, rockers and shafts w/hold downs and new pushrods. Gaskets are gaskets. It is what it is.

thanks for your response @rumblefish360
I plan to get some better rockers for it as soon as the budget allows. I just wanted to know if there were some more extra considerations to take because all the thread I found about this usually is discussing the oiling situation more than the actual considerations of the swap.
I have the entire valvetrain from my 318 so I can use that while I break in the engine softly.
here are some pictures of the heads im interested in buying PN: 6077 from Edelbrock

 

[rumblefish360]

Cool! Clean them up and lap the valves. Your probably good to go. Your spring diameter is something to pay attention to on your cams valve springs.

You may have to clearance the bottom of the pushrod holes to clear the pushrods due to the angle of them being tweaked towards the head. The roller lifters are taller which makes the pushrods shorter and stand more up right into/towards the head.

 

[rumblefish360]

Oh! When it comes time for new rockers, and sure they state that they will clear a spring diameter of what ever you have in there. Some springs are wide beyond 1.50 & some rocker arms will not clear that diameter spring.

 

[PredaFran]

Your spring diameter is something to pay attention to on your cams valve springs.

if you don't mind, could you elaborate on this a little bit? i dont understand what you are saying. like keeping an eye because of the rocker and the spring might not work?

 

[rumblefish360]

Sure!
Fresh photo for you.
Lunati spring on the left is 1.56 in diameter
Edelbrock spring in the middle is 1.46
Spring on the right is 1.26

The spring on the left will not clear certain rockers like these Hughes engines rockers below. This Edelbrock head is equipped with PAC springs which clear. IIRC, there 1.50 in diameter. The spot where the screw driver points to is the area of concern.

 

[PredaFran]

Sure!
Fresh photo for you.
Lunati spring on the left is 1.56 in diameter
Edelbrock spring in the middle is 1.46
Spring on the right is 1.26

The spring on the left will not clear certain rockers like these Hughes engines rockers below. This Edelbrock head is equipped with PAC springs which clear. IIRC, there 1.50 in diameter. The spot where the screw driver points to is the area of concern.
View attachment 1715419565 View attachment 1715419597 View attachment 1715419598

Oh man, I would have never thought that would be an issue.
Thank you very very much for the pictures, I appreciate it a lot!

 

[rumblefish360]

Yea, it is, AND! When you get caught out there on something like this, it just blows. Blows more money and time and head scratching to find the right spring or rocker for the job at hand.

Springs are the cheaper choice.

 

[Wyrmrider]

going to roller tip shaft rocker you will need to contct B3radingengines.com go there and read the 4 tech article
what kind of cam
you might need different spring
if solid lifter cam just use iron rockers unless lotsof lift

 

[PredaFran]

going to roller tip shaft rocker you will need to contct B3radingengines.com go there and read the 4 tech article
what kind of cam
you might need different spring
if solid lifter cam just use iron rockers unless lotsof lift

its a hydraulic roller cam from Oregon cams
224/230 @ .050”, 276/282 adv, ..510”/.510” lift, 110 sep, 1800/5800 rpm, 2200 stall

thanks for the B3 tip

 

[T56MaxTorq]

The Hughes shaft rockers are great. The magnums too. They are meaty in the pit there so yeah - watch the spring sizes. Hughes company likes beehives, IIRC. The shaft hold down and correction shims are a must and the whole process of shimming and finding the right pushrods took me a long time to assemble but it’s worth it.

If you go magnums, they’re quicker to assemble and just as expensive but you won’t need hold down kits, shims, etc. you could also use oem magnum rockers.

if I could do it again I’d go with a head with LA style shaft rockers

 

[Wyrmrider]

adjustable iron rockers work just fine with half inch lift
save your money on roller tips
you also have to budget for the b3 kit to make roller tip work right
get whatever springs oregon wants

 

[JoePole1]

Hey Preda. Did you ever get this engine together? Wondering how you like that cam. Thanks.