Thread: PRW FORD FE 427 Roller Rocker set up

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I'm interested to know if anyone has installed the Roller Rocker kit from PRW on their 427 FE Ford motor, and what I should look out for when installing this kit? It seems after several searches for Roller Rocker kits, this one may work fine. I have heard you need to do some changing to the oil flow to the rocker arms, and would like more information if anyone knows.

Thanks in advance!

I used Roller Rocker from FPP yrs ago, W/roller camshaft. 4130 shafts and end
stands/. Also custom ball and ball pushrods. Never changed anything with
the oiling and never had a problem with alot of runs on the engine.

wyelkhunter, it will be helpful if you will link this stuff when you're asking for help.........like this........
http://www.prwonlinestore.com/pqseri...rmsystem3.aspx

I think I could find a better way to spend $579.50 than on an aftermarket system like this that uses bronze bushings at the trunnion. That's where the friction and heating of the oil take place, not at the valve stem. A small diameter roller at the valve stem is virtually worthless anyway. The diameter is too small to provide a mechanical couple, so the roller skids across the valve stem instead of rolling across it. Radius on a stock rocker is around 5/8ths of an inch, so a roller on the rocker tip would have to be 1 1/4" in diameter to provide a proper mechanical couple and allow rolling of the roller across the valve stem tip. Now, if this system used roller bearings at the trunnion and a roller tip, it might be worth considering.

I would think you'd be just as well off with a stock setup rather than this fosdick arrangement that will simply lighten your wallet for no gain.

Scroll down on this page to Ford FE Roller Rockers to see a system that will work properly and provide gain.....
http://www.pbm-erson.com/store.php?catId=24

I appreciate the advise from both you guys. I should have attached the website. I'm having problems with the stock adjusters backing off, and if I have to spend 1k to get a better set up I will. This motor may get 500 miles per year on it if that.

Thanks Again!

A few guys sell this kit for $430-450. I think it's pretty new still and that's why there's not much feedback on them yet. The oem Ford adjuster was a variable pitch thread with a 7ft lb breakaway tq value. Crane and Isky have a set of adjusters with locknuts for $60-70ish. You might still find a set at the bigger part houses. You can retap your stock adjusters to the new thread size and clearance them just a tad for the lock nuts. Easy fix and fairly cheap. I've tried the OEM oversize adjusters that come .003 oversize and unless your rocker threads are really played out it's hard to get the .003's in place. There used to be .001 and .002 but those are now long gone.

I had to edit my post. I read this wrong and thought you had the PRW rockers and the adjusters were coming loose. Sorry for the mixup... LOL. Good advice from Tech too!!!

Originally Posted by wyelkhunter

I'm interested to know if anyone has installed the Roller Rocker kit from PRW on their 427 FE Ford motor, and what I should look out for when installing this kit? It seems after several searches for Roller Rocker kits, this one may work fine. I have heard you need to do some changing to the oil flow to the rocker arms, and would like more information if anyone knows.

Thanks in advance!

Hello.... PRW FE roller rocker kit is a pretty good deal for the money IMO with no issues to date quite a few sets loaded ..... use ..060th oil restrictors in the heads... tap feed hole for Holley jets... or if heads on engine cut the ends off a SB Chebbie old school 5/16 dia push rod prox 3/8 long deburr and clean then drop cut off end facing down in head oil feed hole this will restrict oil to rocker shafts as needed with PRW rocker kit .

Also use red Loc-Tite on shaft end plugs clean & load them in ends of shafts
if not done you run the risk of plugs working they way loose .
My 2 cents........ regards Daryl

AS Tech inspector said these kits can be had for $440 ish... look round -ebay ect.

Couple things.

First is that I have looked at the PRW stuff but decided not to sell it. Just seemed to be a Chinese knock-off of Crane's (RIP) kit. I already sell a bunch of Erson and Dove parts so I did not see the need for yet another in my line-up. I can't say anything good or bad about the PRW parts themselves.

The Inspector was having a rough day. He's normally "spot on" but missed on this topic.

A bronze bushing is a pretty good bearing material and application. That is what's inside of nearly every floating connecting rod. Does not make it mandatory - as a bushing can reduce the section thickness of the arm itself. But the bushing is a good thing and equal to or better than a roller bearing in virtually all applications where oil supply is adequate.

The roller tip at the valve end works pretty darn well. Point contact is perfectly good as a roll couple. Truth be known you cannot physically have any larger contact patch on a roller bearing. You don't get much roller rotation because of the small arc of travel - but uncoupling the rocker arc of travel from the valve tip vertical motion is all that's needed to be successful in that application. You won't gain a single horspower, but the guides will live longer.

Hi,
I sell the Harland Sharp rockers and I have FE shaft rockers in stock. They are the originator of roller rockers and best yet they are MADE IN AMERICA!!!

Hello, You may want to call Steve Tanzi at Erson Cams and ask him if he has any rebuilt roller rockers for your application. He is wonderful to deal with.
If you tell him you read about this on the FE forum you will probably get them for about half price. Make sure you specify if you are using Cast Iron or Edelbrock heads and they will ship assembled correctly for your application. Robb McMackin is the guy who developed these for Erson and is a great person to talk to as well.
(775) 882-1622

Thanks, josh