FE Roller Rockers-Which is Best

[Clois Harlan]

I know that Jesel or Dove roller rockers are considered the best but they are also over $1000 a set. So my question is which is the best of these:
Harlan-Sharpe
Crane
Comp

There is a big difference in price and I am sure the old addage is you get what you pay for, with everything. A little advise would be appreciated.

Clois

[BrianPaul]

Clois,

I have a set of Comp Cams roller rockers in my 428. Work like a charm and look way cool. The cost was $807.00 plus shipping. The only thing you might want to look out for with is set up is excessive play between the rocker arms. I fixed this with some shims supplied by Comp Cams. Also, the guy at Comp told me that Dove buys their rocker set up from Comp and then private labels it. Interesting.

Brian Paul

[Clois Harlan]

I just called my supplier and they will need to order the comp rollers but they have the Harlan Sharpe in stock. Anyone have an opinion on the Harlan-Sharpe roller rockers?

Input appreciated today. Want to be driving this weekend at Hallet.

Clois

[ERA535]

Mr. Harlan -

I and three friends have used the Harlan Sharp rocker arms with no problems!

Pat

[SFfiredog]

Originally posted by BrianPaul


Also, the guy at Comp told me that Dove buys their rocker set up from Comp and then private labels it. Interesting.

[/b]

What's really interesting is that Dove has been selling that rocker arm assy and end stands for about ten years now. Comp has been selling the same set up for just a few years
Dove is one of the larger rocker arm manufacturers and makes rocker arms for many of the aftermarket companies. I have no great love for Dove (I'm still waiting for some parts!) but for Comp Cams to take credit for someone elses work is just plain wrong.
Next Comp will say they make the roller bearing cam thrust plates they sell for Fords and then sell them to Danny Bee!

--Mike

[Clois Harlan]

Thanks everyone, I think I will go with the Harlan Sharpe because of avail and also the cost is considerably less.

By the way are there any tricks for the install that I need to know about?

Clois

[Roger Bolick]

On the FE forum's, the hot setup is the Erson Roller Rockers, E918502. Its a complete bolt-on setup with thick wall steel shafts, billet aluminum stands and end stands and as I recall, needle bearings on the shafts.

My last set was Comp Cams/Dove with bare aluminum rockers rubbing the steel shaft (80's low cost design?). Erson's appear to be vastly better engineered and the racers are running them with no problems. This will certainly be my choice next time.

You need the "spacer shim kit" from Erson to align the tips to the MR or Edelbrock heads (valve spacing differs on these, but not the same!).

see bottom of page 14 of 15 pdf or page 87 of the catalog
http://www.mrgasket.com/pdf/Valvetrain.pdf

OR

http://www.mrgasket.com/ersoncat.html

The engineer at Erson posted on one of the groups and was very interested in the racers results, in fact he incorporated some suggestions, so the new sets incorporate minor but important changes. A VERY nice personal touch I'd say!

Price should be about $560.00 plus $20 for the spacers. I just called Summit Racing...!@#$% and then contacted Erson and asked for another source or the ability to buy direct, we'll see.

Figuring out how to buy these seems to be the "real" challenge.

[Roger Bolick]

Ford FE Roller Rockers: E918502 - all FE's with normal heads completely assembled w/stands and end supports
Ford FE Roller Rockers spacer kit: E913020 - FE's with MR, HR, TP, and Edelbrock heads (427 and 428 chambers)
NOTE: spacers re-center the roller tip on the valve stem on heads with repositioned valves (see above)
NOTE: HR requires stands to be milled at the bottom to maintain proper height

Summit Racing 800-230-3030 has them in stock for $609.95, spacers are special order for $20.39

Erson confirmed they will allow direct orders... stay tuned as I suggested a group discount, well doesn't hurt to ask!

[thundercat]

I have the Erson set-up on my 428. It just takes a little time and patience to align with valves when using Edelbrock aluminium heads using the shim kit. Costs more if you buy direct . I bought mine from Summit. About 4000 miles NO problems... Steve McD

[Clois Harlan]

Thanks for all your input. I forgot about the Erson set up. I will check those out as well.

Clois

[RICK LAKE]

Clois I think you are having Run&Gun speed lag. Maybe Lew spiked your drink and the effect is finally wearing off. Did you check out the shelby rollers. I know you will pay for the name. I might check out the Ersons my self. Gald to hear your engine was not damaged badly, my starter drive was chewed up. Have to pull the trans and Check the Flywheel, I have a bad vibration that has just started. Oh what fun it is YEH RITE. Talk to you soon Rick Lake

[Clois Harlan]

After checking availability, price, etc. I decided on Erson roller rockers. Ordered from Summitt and as usual they had them to me the next day for a $20 fee (total cost $609.00). At first I was leaning toward the Harland Sharpe rollers but after checking avail and price I went with the Sig Erson. Dove, Comp, and Shelby are all very good products but they are $300-$500 pricier for the set. The Harland Sharpe is also a good product but each part is priced seperately and unassembled eg: Rollers are priced at $319.00, Shafts $180.00, stands at $130.00 etc. for a total cost of $630.00. Not much difference in price from the Ersons but the stands were a direct ship from H-S and I was affraid they would not arrive by Friday.

Since I am running Edelbrock alum heads I changed out from bolts to Studs (as recommended) cost $90. I also went with a new set of Crane ball and cup push rods $90 (Wayne Turpin had recommended the Smith push rods but they couldn't deliver until later this week).

The Erson roller rocker arms are fully assembled and a nice fit (no machining) and the preload hydraulic lifter adustment is fairly simple with or without a dial indicator. I checked and set my lifter preload both ways (old way was with exhaust valve open and Intake closed I set the intake by running my adjusting screw on each arm down to where the push rod would not turn with your fingers and then turned the adjusting screw down and additional 1/4 turn and tightened the lock nut). This process takes about 30 minutes to set all sixteen valves but it works. And my little ole 428 sounds and runs very well again.

Thanks to everyone for their help in this decision.

Clois

[Chaplin]

So is the general consensus that Summit is the cheapest for the Erson roller rockers?

Roger, any news on the group discount??

[Todd Hedges]

I haven't asked a dumb question in a while so I think I'm due:

Do roller rockers work with a solid lifter set-up?
(or do you have to have a hydraulic lifter set-up)

[Clois Harlan]

Chaplin,

As far as I can tell the Sig Erson roller rockers are a great value and Summit has the lowest prices of anyone I could find.

Todd,

I really can't answer question regarding roller rockers with solid lifter cam. My guess is yes you can but hopefully, Mr. Fixit , Bob Putnam or George Anderson will jump in and answer this question.

Clois

[thundercat]

hi!! I'm using Erson roller rockers with a solid lifter cam [ Comp cams 282S] over 4000 miles and no problems...Steve McD

[Chaplin]

Clois-
Thanks for doing the pricing research- I think I'm going to order a set.


Todd-
Any news on the motor yet?

Thundercat-
I am going to build a 428 with edelbrock heads, and I think I have decided to use the Comp Cam 282s. (Unfortunately, I will be using a Blue Thunder intake and holley 4 barrel and not the Webers- they come later). How do you like that cam? Is it too big? small? I'm interested in a strong street motor- I don't expect to see any track time. Would you use the same cam if you had to do it again?

Thanks,
Mike

[thundercat]

chaplin--- my engine is a 428 with edelbrock heads also I had blue thunder 2x4 for 1st 3000 miles.. I liked 282s with 2x4 sounded good [rough idle but still idled at about 800] but with webers it smoothed cam out --[lost nice sound at idle] so I'm going to a special grind this winter. [thats why I tested webers now so I'll have all winter to pull engine and change]. I couldn't go to 294S because I need vaccumn for brakes and too much overlap .... hope this helps you Steve McD

[snake farmer]

Give Harlan Sharp rockers a look. Thats what I run. Shelby also has some on the market. I am sure they are steel rockers although they could be alum. Expect to pay alot for his stuff. Harlan shafts and rockers are avail thru Summit. Rockers are $320 and shafts are $160. You will still need shaft spacers and end stands.

[A Snake]

I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I have to ask a question. Make no mistake as I say this,I completely understand what budget constraints are and can be.

There are two places not to stint when building an engine....especially one as expensive as an FE. One is rotating parts such as crank,pistons, rods bearings and to a lesser degree, the camshaft and lifters. The next is the valve train. Why not get the best? To me that's just cheap insurance against engine failure. What's $300 or $400 against the replacement of a $10,000 to $20,000 engine?

It took me over a year to get all of the parts and pieces for my 427 S/O and another 6 months to get it built. You know what though.....I didn't lose a minute's sleep worrying about what might break if I pushed the engine. (which I did) To me, that peace of mind was worth the time and the money.......and I only had to spent it once.

Another thing just occurred to me. What if a guy is on the track, pushing the car and the engine to the limits and the engine lets go in a turn and causes loss of control? Somehow I have a hard time balancing a few hundred dollars against injury, loss of life or at the very least a totaled out car. Don't say it can't happen because it does and has and will continue to happen on every track in the world. Don't plan to be on a track? A little horseplay on a twisty road will have the same result.

And if ya ain't gonna push it....why have it?

Just my two cents worth.

Al