Roller Rockers

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi:

I have been having some fun contemplating at some point building up the existing 289 in my 65 just a bit (nothing exotic or expensive as I like the engine a great deal as is and don't want an expensive mess on my hands that runs like, well.....), and have thought about adding roller lifters and roller rockers to free up friction. One thing I have read is that roller rockers often are noisier than regular rockers. In theory I don't know why this should be the case, but does anyone have any practical experience? An internet search and some videos on youtube indicates that, in fact, this may be the case, and if so I will just stick with conventional rockers that I know are fine.

Thanks!
/s/ Chris

 

[Mach1Rider]

Don't have info on rollers with a hyd cam but, With a solid lifter cam it is much more than the standard rockers.
I switched from standard rockers on a soild lifter that had a slight tick common to having the gap at the valve stem.
Now with the roller rockers and the same gap at the stem, It sounds like the wifes Singer sewing machine running at full speed.
I know what the sound is, But some looks I get others do not.

 

[Anonymous]

Not ever having an old engine without roller rockers, I can't really answer your question. I will say that my solid lifter, shaft roller rocker 289 has the most beautiful sound when running!

 

[Starfury]

My Crane Energizer roller rockers definitely have that Singer sewing machine sound to them. That said, it's not terrifically loud, and it usually gets drowned out by the sound of my Rhoads lifters

You can't simply add roller lifters, though. You need to do a roller cam conversion, which involves a new cam and either link bar lifters or some drilling in the valley to install spider retainers for standard roller lifters. Expensive conversion, but a good way to add power without sacrificing drivability.

 

[66gt350]

I'm running stock ford roller lifters with harland sharp roller rockers on my 5.0, and there's no noise coming off the valve train.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi!

Many thanks, everyone, for your replies. I do know about the different cam/additional work to fit roller lifters, but thanks for mentioning it anyway. I know from experience with other engines that roller lifters are a good addition for a number of reasons, but now think I will steer clear of roller rockers. I have a hunch that if there is a noise it will bug me, and don't think the benefits are such as to outweigh the risk----just a personal thing.

Cheers,
/s/ Chris

 

[lethal289]

I have lunati voodoo roller rockers, and i honestly have never heard them.

 

[Starfury]

To be fair, I think I can attribute some of my roller rocker noise to the fact that I bought the cheapest roller rockers I could find, in addition to running lifters that collapse on purpose. With a better set of roller rockers (I'd love some Comp Camps rockers) and a roller cam, I doubt you'd hear any noise.

 

[Jonk67]

I think it's really going to depend on combination. I have installed 1.6 ratio full rollers (fulcrum and tip)

with a hyd. flat tappet CC XE262 ~.500 lift cam and hyd lifters. I may hear some drive train noise as now the roller components can transmit mechanical sound more than the original cup type rockers that caused more friction, which dulled some of the sound I'm guessing.

If you use a roller cam, roller lifters and roller rockers you may get more mechanical sound?, even more with a solid cam I would imagine or if you used a more aggressive lift cam.

I would post a sound clip if my engine were running yet, sorry.
Jon