Rocker shafts

[excobraguy]

So who has the best rocker shafts for our cars these days? I read some of the older posts about the solid rocker shafts, but it seems no one has them anymore. I'm adding a roller cam and want the strength of a solid rocker shaft or a thicker rocker shaft. Who carries them?????? I have stock ported heads by the way......

 

[Just a Six??]

GBody parts, TA Perf both carry them & Full Throttle might as well?

 

[turbofabricator]

Last time I checked, (a few weeks ago) NO ONE had the HD shafts any more. TA will sell you standard replacement HD shafts and they WILL break with a roller cam. (ask me how I know ) Best to go with roller rockers. They all have solid shafts, though you will NEED valvecovers or valve cover spacers. Roller rockers, all the way.

 

[Powder]

Poston's sells a "stronger" than stock version that seems to be about the same thickness as stock. I bought a set for my 4.1 project and am using the RJC reinforcements for all six shaft bolts. I'm crossing my fingers on this because I have the same cam as you with ported stockers also. Tough to add the extra expense of roller rockers but that may be your best choice if you plan to race your car.
mlh

 

[turbofabricator]

Be VERY careful torquing the aftermarket shafts. If you go too tight, they WILL crack. They are harder than stock shfts, and will not compress like the stock shafts. If you need stock shafts, I have a few sets if needed. Hardly worth the shipping, though. Go to you local bone yard and get a set or two. Use the RJC supports, on the aftermarket shafts, too.

 

[Nascarcamper]

Be VERY careful torquing the aftermarket shafts. If you go too tight, they WILL crack. They are harder than stock shfts, and will not compress like the stock shafts. If you need stock shafts, I have a few sets if needed. Hardly worth the shipping, though. Go to you local bone yard and get a set or two. Use the RJC supports, on the aftermarket shafts, too.

Where can one find the RJC supports that you mention? I have a set of the thicker shaft rockers and I'm about to install them, no big cam or anything yet, but you just never know what the future holds with one of these cars:biggrin:
UPDATE:
Never mind, I found the link!!!!

 

[TURBO 6]

I have the shafts from TA. If these things crack I'll be shocked.

 

[83ttypecooled]

Hi,
Your discourse is very interesting.These shafts are that delicate? I have a hard time beleiving that. With stock components, they last the lifetime of the motor.Add a little load, and they break? Huh. Well,that's racing, I guess.

 

[Nascarcamper]

Here's the difference from stock to the Heavy Duty models I just installed.

 

[turbofabricator]

The shafts shown above are no longer available. (at last check). The shafts that TA sells now are nearly the same thickness as stock. They are the "heavy duty" Sealed Power replacements. The material is stronger, but it is also more brittle. Just don't over torque the mounting bolts, and use the RJC rocker shaft braces. Like this: RJC Rocker Shaft Braces

With a hydraulic roller cam and bee-hive springs, we broke a rocker shaft, and bent two adjustable push rods.

With a hydraulic roller cam, I would suggest roller rockers, as they have solid shafts, and are adjustable for proper lifter pre-load. Lifter pre-load is critical to engine performance. I cannot stress this enough. Lifter pre-load, if wrong, can cost you upwards of 100 hp. and still not make noise. Set pre-load at a target of .030" More than .080" you are hurting power.

 

[Nascarcamper]

I am still running the stock cam & lifters. The RJC supports are on my list of things to get! Thanks for the info.