FE rocker adjustment and it still ticks - now what

[RICK LAKE]

Grubby John I think the ends of the shjafts are flexing without end supports when hot. The shaft could be cracking and you wouldn't see it until they break. Yes I have been through this. Get a set of end supports. You said the noise is only at the ends. This is where my shafts braoke at the last bolt hole through the shaft. Some one sells them here. If you can, pull the noisy lifters apart and clean them out and reassembly. Lubed them with pre lube and drop back in the correct holes. I wonder if the shafts where unhooked. When my motor sits over the winter, I loosen the shafts to release the valve springs. This takes the pressure off the lifters. Peoblem with this is when I was running anti pump lifters(non rollers) I had to remove all the lifters and drain the oil. Then reinstall them and set the rockers assemblies to torque spec. Fire up the motor and the lifters adjusted. If I didn't do this the valves wouldn't close and motor ran like crap. These where crane antipumpups from the late 90's. This could be the noise. Run the motor again and put pressure on the end of the shafts and see if noise is better, worst, or the same. It could be just the rockers, swap them around and see if the noise moves. If it does, its rockers, if not lifters or shafts. When shafts off, take straight edge and make sure that all 4 mount locations are flat, if not may have to shim them. Rick L.

[patrickt]

John, if it was me, I'd toss those old rockers and shafts, pull the lifters out with a magnet and string and replace them with new ones, then check with Barry and see if he has one last set of Ersons sitting over in the corner. If not, go with Harland Sharp Harland Sharp S4006BKE - Harland Sharp Shaft Mount Roller Rockers - Overview - SummitRacing.com and you're out of this mess for under a grand.

[blykins]

For the flat tappet and hydraulic roller stuff, I use PRW rocker arms. They come with hardened shafts, billet rocker stands, end stands, studs, the whole nine yards. Very affordable and very nice quality. A set of their aluminum rockers would run around $470. Even comes with a pushrod length checker.

I'm going to stick a set on my own FE when it comes time.

I do agree with Rick, end stands are a plus, especially with modern spring pressures.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

... Very affordable and very nice quality. A set of their aluminum rockers would run around $470.

Yes, but the more he spends on his Cobra, the more that will "trickle down" and help the overall U.S. economy. By "dropping additional coin," John helps us all. Thank you John for your support.

[Grubby]

I have decided to replace all lifters and the rocker assemblies. It would be luck if I could get the end lifters out without dropping them. The ones toward the center would be easy.

We have a few months of driving left, so I don't want to waste a weekend with the engine apart.

My plan is to get some parts on order within the next 90 days or so and then fix it when the weather gets cold.

I will try to get the lifters out without pulling the intake. As long as I have parts on hand it is not a big deal if I drop one. Now to decide what rocker assemblies to purchase.

John

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Grubby

Now to decide what rocker assemblies to purchase.

Now as much as I love Brent, I still believe that when it comes to parts for our Cobras, and FE engines in particular, the more you spend, the better the stuff turns out to be.

[blykins]

You got a billet crank and rods in that FE of yours Patrick?

In regards to the rocker assemblies, I've sold a butt-load of PRW rockers (both aluminum and stainless) and have not heard any complaints from anyone. There's a big price gap between them and the next step up and if I were of the mind to buy Harland Sharps, I would just pay the extra couple hundred bucks and get the T&D's.