michael1 Mike a ran stock rockers for 2 years in 97,98 with a .500-.533" hydro camshaft from crane. They where a used set when I got them. I did get a custom length set of push rods to have the correct wear pattern on the top of the valve stem. I also make sure that there was clearance in the manifold for the pushrods. At this time I didn't do any of the oiling limiters to the heads. I also have run studs since day 1. I wanted a strong valve train and a roller setup and went to a dove setup. I added limiters for the oiling system to 100 holley jets. My rockers where not bronze bushing inside the housings. They where not the wider bodies either. I got 2 years out of them and cracked a rocker arm. 3 weeks after that the whole shaft crack off at the #7 support and another rocker. This system may work on any camshaft up to .750" lift but this is a short term rocker setup. There was some gauling of the rocker bodies. I was told by a very well known machinist to have a .020-.040 groove installed in the middle of the rocker to help with oiling. The oiling modes helped but was very uneasy about racing. I looked at T&D and Jesel. IMO the best on the market. Both needed machine work done to the heads for the plates. I started to look in another direction for the valve train. I went back to stock rockers and used the dove stands. I went with a heavy duty run of the mill shaft and had no problem for another 2 years.
Time to change things, the 452 was not cutting it any more with guys running 482 motors and up in street class. back to the drawing board. I got a set of beehive valve springs, #26120 for a BBC motor. These help the 452 motor the last year. Motor responce was a little quicker. By this time the Erson setup was out on the market. Engineering is alot better with a solid mounting plate. You do have the check the clearance under the plate and shim it if needed. Modify the end plates to clear the nuts for the head studs. Another set of pushrods, roller camshaft, roller rockers and 482 cubes. I have been running the setup for 4 years and no problems yet. 2 things that have extended the life of my motors,
First is
oil volume and pressure. I run a 100# spring in an HVHP
oil pump motor idles at 35-40psi and goes to 65-80 psi at 5,500 rpms. I also have a accusump 3 quart for both peroiling before starting motor and when running high speed "g" turns. If you are going to street drive the car and little to NO abuse a hvhp with a #60-70 pound spring will work fine. Add limiters of #.080 for the rocker oiling. This is a safe size to run. I have seen and heard of guys running .060 jets but blueing on the contact points was found with Erson rockers. IMO, I have never seen a motor blown or hurt from too much
oil, but have seen many a failure from not enough.
The other thing is putting together a torque motor and limit the rpms to 6,200. I have 2 different tranny's 1 6sp richmond with overdrive and a G-Force 5 speed. It depends on how big the track is.
Mike making sure you have the geometry is correct and enough oiling to the heads are important. Limiting the rpms also. With the camshaft you are running a 6,000 rpm limit is all you need. I would also retard the cam shaft about 6 degrees if it has a 4 degree advance built into it. This will help with idle. more torque in the bottom end and broader range. You do kill some HP in the upper end. Your camshaft is just about out of range and you are just wasting the motor. Good luck with the rockers. I will tell you to sva eyour money and get a full roller rocker assembly. This is where both the ends have bearings or shafts. Correct oiling will give you many years of service without failures. Rick L. Ps 4th year of racing with my setup.