Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Roller cam and rockers?

Hello everyone, I am newly registered but have been reading these pages for a while. I have been the owner of a 52 BelAir for some three years now. It is running a 54 235 and an 848 head. She breathes through a dual intake and exhales through a pair of Fentons. She drives through an S-10 T-5 to an early Nova 10 bolt rear. She is lots of fun but I would like to make it even more fun. My engine is coming out very shortly for a rebuild. I would very much like to do more than just a simple rebuild. Is a roller cam and rocker set up available for my motor? If it is, has anyone done this to their engine? Any other advice for cams, connectiong rods, pistons etc. I would be more the greatful for any input that might be given here.
Thanks for any help, Dominic

More cubic inches couldn't hurt, I'd find a 261 to build. This way you can enjoy the car while building the new motor. Also, contact Tom Langdon at Langdon's Stovebolt for roller parts and for his input re stroking the 261 per his article in the 12 Port News. His ph 586 739-9601
and web site www.stoveboltengineco.com
Best of luck
Jim

Thanks for your input Jim. It's funny, I have been told by more than a few folks to go with the 261. Have talked with Tom Langdon also. Mostly about carbs. I will have to contact him again.
Dominic

A while ago I emailed a US based company called Harland Sharp about making roller rockers, and they said it was a "can do". The owner of the company has a restored '55 Chev, so he is familiar with the rocker set-up on these mills.

Given that there are 4 different types of rockers in a Stovebolt 6, it would be quite an expensive job. Their words - not mine!

I do however, know of others who are after roller rockers, so maybe we need a poll, as to who would buy some, then approach a company to make them!!!??? Maybe we could attain an economy of scales that way

Hello Mark, I may just do a search for that company. See what I can learn. I have to believe it has been done and the parts are available somewhere. Just a matter of finding out.
Dominic

True roller rockers are for the most part not available for these early engines. I beleive Harry Warner of the Wayne 12 port Head fame did not use them or to my knowledge make any of them.
For inlines it took many years for anyone to make them for GMC's which were not as popular but raced more.

The one to talk to in my opinion is Jerry Weight (sp?) with the Wayne Manufacuring Co. With enough interest they may be the ones to do it..

Don Johanson (Howards Cams of old) is currently looking to remake a large amount of roller lifters for the GMC with also fit the Chevrolet engine. He can be contacted thru Chet Herbert in Anaheim Ca. He feels there is a lot of interest and it would better if he knew more were looking to add a roller cam. Hardened cam blanks have always been a problem for folks wanting to do one of these as a racer.

I designed my own for a GMC and I'm sure any good speciality machine shop could do them with a good print and the correct material. However they would be very costly. I was lucky to trade some work for mine. I supplied the tips, adjusters and bearings.

Every so often a set of Barker High lift rockers show up on E-Bay. Thomas also made some magnesium ones. I have 2 sets for a GMC, but none for a Chev..

Good luck contacting these manufacturers and showing interest may help get something done.

Hi Jimmy, thanks for the info on these manufacturers. I will contact them and see what they think. Following the recommedation from Mark I did email Harland Sharp last night. No response as of today. Thanks to all your help so far fellows. I wouldn't know where to start without it.
Dominic

I emailed Tom Langdon, and he says that there were no roller rockers that came with the business, when he brought it 10 years ago.

Maybe Dick Larrowe has/had some, as they were supposedly tooled up for. Any-one going to ask?

JD, are those Thomas Hi-lift rockers useable on late 235/261 engines? I was of the opinion that they suited 216 heads only.

Re-reading all the replies, maybe we need to poll all BB members and place an advert in 12 port news, asking who is committed to getting some roller rockers for Chev 6's made.

Any approach to a company would have to have to come with a guarantee of at least 50% payment up front, and the rest on delivery.

Another hurdle - who had roller cam blanks for these engines???

I'm not too sure if Jerry Weight has much to do with Wayne Manufacturing Co these days...... Or maybe I'm too far away to know what is what in that area.

Hey Mark, I like your idea. I would believe that over time more and more sixers might like to go with rollers?
I did try emailing Wayne MFG. last night. The email was returned unable to send. I clicked on the email address found on the Wayne sight. I Wrote what I though was a complete and well constructed letter. Only to have it come back! I was heart broken.. I'll get over it and try again.
Thanks for interest. May still find an answer yet.
Dominic

Mark, not sure on any of the Thomas rockers for a Chev. I did see a set of Barkers at the swap meet a few years back. I am only familiar with the Thomas.

Cam blanks can be made for anything. The problem is normally is hobbing out the dist gear. Once the basic blank is roughed a final profile is put on. This is normally done by the manufacturer you choose. Then it needs to be properly heat treated. All of this takes time and a lot of money. With that you add in a set of roller lifters means you are a very serious guy about your engine. This why I run a flat tappet cam. At 5500 a roller is not realy necessary in my opinion. Remember Nascar engines have flat tappets at 9000 rpm. I wish you all a lot of luck...J.D.

Sorry GMC Thomas...

Theres a stroker 261 for sale in the classifieds.

I sold the 261 stroker - thanks for the plug inline300 !!!

There is somebody selling the B&B 1.6 high lift INTAKE rocker arms for the later 235/261 on Ebay from time to time. Too bad he doesn't have them for the exhaust side where you need it...

As I see it currently, when you consider the low RPM potential, and poor intake valve to piston clearances on a 216/236/261, I'm wondering just how much benifit you're really going to get out of a roller cam without first switching to a 12 port head with better valve train geometry??