FE rebuild and adjustable rocker arms questions??

[SteveC]

Ok from what ive found out from a friend that rebuilds a lot of ford engines and i was told that the 352 was hard on the valve train.

I swear on here that ive seen that you can have adjustable rocker arms on a stock FE engine head.
I cant find any info when i search for it on here or on the internet. Maybe im just not looking right.

I did how ever find a rebuild kit http://www.rpmmachine.com/shop/html/For ... d-Kit.html
was wondering if that is a good one??
Was also told that it can cost between 2000-2500 to do a rebuild..but im not sure if he meant with parts inculded and labor or just to do the heads??
im a little confussed so any help from people that have done a rebuild on a FE

[Jake11]

Go here. http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/
Register. Might take a day or so. Look at the link's at the top. You can get anything you want for a 352/360/390/427/428.
Even a bad axx stroker crank kit. 450cu." ++ . Get yer credit card out. Call this guy. he carries all the rockers and parts.
The guys on the forum go there. http://precisionoilpumps.com/

I'll tell ya stuff if I can be of help. Just ask.

[Clarko]

Ok, most (if not all) 65 and down FE heads have adjustable rockers. My 61 heads that I'm using on my 428 stroker (465 cubes now) have the adjustable rockers. They take special pushrods, too. The 2000-2500 sounds like a stock rebuild on your engine. FEs are more expensive but are more fun IMHO!

[SteveC]

so the regualar rocker arms should be ok.... I just keep hearing tale that the 352 is hard on the valve train... the 390 wasnt as bad though. But it will cost for to make my 352 a 390 so i dunno.

I have about 2 next week to get what i want to do together

[Clarko]

That is not correct.

Let me apologize for sayin that then. I was regurgitating what I was told by a guy at PAW (performance automotive wherehouse).

[peanutman]

Steve c here in dallas we have a engine build company called city motors , been in business for years they build a good stock motor. They list a 65-73 360 premium long block for $1185.00. Thats a tolal rebuild w/reman heads Just thought i would throw that in if you wanted to go that route. You may want to do it yourself and stick with your 352. May have something like that in your area if your looking to get out at a reasonable $.

[SteveC]

hoping to keep the 352 but i have a 360 that is stuck that would need a little work but it is complete as well just stuck since it had water in it. So i have a couple different options just hoping to use the 352.

Just trying to find out how much truth there is in the" Fe engines are hard on the valve train" but the price of what your telling me there in dallas gives me some hope that im not gonna have to spend a arm leg and half a hand to get mine rebuilt Thanx

[Clarko]

hoping to keep the 352 but i have a 360 that is stuck that would need a little work but it is complete as well just stuck since it had water in it. So i have a couple different options just hoping to use the 352.

Just trying to find out how much truth there is in the" Fe engines are hard on the valve train" but the price of what your telling me there in dallas gives me some hope that im not gonna have to spend a arm leg and half a hand to get mine rebuilt Thanx

The valvetrain can be beefed up with shaft-end stands from Precision Oil Pumps above. There are also hardened rocker shafts.

[peanutman]

Steve to try to answer your question. Iv'e seen a lot of fe engines w/150,000 + miles and still running strong. I don't think they are any harder on valvetrains than any other engines and would go back w/stock parts unless you want to build a high hp engine.
From what iv'e learned on this site the fe's are basically the same w/exception to the stroke so i don't know why a 352 would need special treatment. Just use good parts, oil etc...

[SteveC]

ive checked on presission oil pumps site but i cant find anything related to valve train just oil pumps... maybe im blind

[Jake11]

Call on the tele.

[SteveC]

ill try to do that after class tommorrow if not ill give them a call friday for sure

[DuckRyder]

Jake and Hawkrod are steering you right on this one...

Get the book "How to rebuild your big block Ford - by Steve Christ" too.

[My427stang]

On a hot motor I am a supporter of aftermarket rockers

With that being said, my 390 in my truck does not have anything but bone stock hyd rockers from the original 360.

That is with a 280H cam and has been run hard, but maintained well its whole life.

The only thing I see with stock rockers and hyd lifters, is sometimes guys will get overzealous zonking down all 4 bolts and can put some stress on the shafts which can cause them to break

In addition, theoretically, at high spring pressures the end rockers are unsupported and could break the shaft there too as well as deflect quite a bit

However, those same issues happen with adjustable rockers. The only real benefit with a streetable truck cam is when you go with some sort of end stand design, and then I wouldnt call it a necessity, maybe just peace of mind

[SteveC]

thanks for all the help guys. It has given me enough to go on i believe i have a spare set of rocker shaft assemballies on the off chance mine are shot but when i had the valve covers off they didnt look anything but dirty.