440 Rocker arms and shafts

Author Topic: 440 Rocker arms and shafts  (Read 967 times)

Offline gomangoRT/SE

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440 Rocker arms and shafts
« on: July 22, 2005 - 06:18:36 AM »
I am needing some rocker arms, shafts and hdwe and I have a friend who wants my old 383 block that has a stress crack in the main bearing area.......all the way across the surface.   At any rate he has alot of sets of rocker arms shafts and other 383 and 440 parts.....   He has a low mileage 440 six pack engine original 69 vintage that has just been sitting around.........  He said I could have those rocker arm shafts and  rocker arms off this engine......swears its a 40,000 mile motor...........   Are these rocker arms similiar or superior to other 440 motors.     I am building a good engine, about 460HP but not a drag racer.    Would these be suitable?     :dontknow:




Offline firefighter3931

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Re: 440 Rocker arms and shafts
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2005 - 09:08:16 AM »
It Depends....on a lot of things. How big is the cam you're installing in the new engine ? How much spring pressure will the valve be seeing ? Do you know for sure that the engine these came out of hasn't been abused ?

Factory rocker arms are notorious for breaking through at the pushrod cup. Mp sells heavy duty rocker arms that are re-inforced in the weak areas. Cheap too....less than $100. You might want to look at some 3/8in pushrods to compliment the rest of the valvetrain. If this motor is using a more agressive cam and will be spun higher than 5500 with increased spring pressures....a beefed up valvetrain is money well spent, inmo.

Ron
68 Charger RT street/strip Bruiser & 70 Charger RT 440-6pack the ultimate Cruiser

Offline gomangoRT/SE

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Re: 440 Rocker arms and shafts
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2005 - 04:00:16 AM »
Firefighter..........your exactly right.............must been one of my alzheimers moments......thinking of how i can save a few $$$..........after all the money I am spending on my motor with good equipment and machine work I dare think of saving money on the top end.......silly boy :dupe:     I had earmarked cash for new rockers and shafts....... like Nike says......" Just do it".

Offline firefighter3931

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Re: 440 Rocker arms and shafts
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2005 - 06:47:10 AM »
   I had earmarked cash for new rockers and shafts....... like Nike says......" Just do it".

Good plan....trust me i've done what you were contemplating, and it bit me in the A$$. :banghead: I learned my lesson long ago....no skimping on the valvetrain !   :P


Ron
68 Charger RT street/strip Bruiser & 70 Charger RT 440-6pack the ultimate Cruiser