Anyone have problem with Edelbrock heads?
#1266750
07/13/12 02:07 AM
07/13/12 02:07 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar
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master
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OP
master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
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I have a post in the general area, when I was not sure what broke on my engine. Found that I broke another rocker stand off my Edelbrock Victor Max Wedge heads. It seems to just be the center rocker stand, but the casting looks really porous and the helicoli does not go into the head below the stand (If it did, I doubt this would have broke?)
I am using PAC1325 valve springs installed at 1.950", so closed pressure is 275#, and open (0.714" lift), is just over 700# open. Solid roller Comp HXL lobe 264/264 duration cam. I usually shift around 6,500 RPM max, but have a 7,000 RPM limiter chip in the MSD, and I may have hit the limiter in the burnout box a few times. The Rocker arms are T&D 1.6:1 ratio, with Smithbrothers 3/8"x0.089" wall pushrods.
When I first built the engine, the drivers side head broke (split) the center rocker stand, and I just though that it was my fault for running rockershaft shims. So, I milled the stands flat and used the maxwedge style rocker shaft hold downs. Because the stands break down to the base, a spacer was machined between the head and center hold down. Under the spacer I installed a 3/4" long TimeSert into the head for the center hold down bolt. I have not had problems with the other rocker shaft stands, but they are wider, and the center stands have the heli-coils located further down in the head (below the oiling hole.)
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Re: Anyone have problem with Edelbrock heads?
[Re: mistress]
#1266755
07/13/12 10:32 AM
07/13/12 10:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439 Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
Taking time off to work on my car
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Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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Quote:
I broke the center tower on one of my victors about 3 years ago. running comp 943 springs with hughes 1.6 rockers. 240 seat pressure at 1.90 height, 598 open....
Ughhh... that's my combination, too.
What about longer studs? I don't like bolts in aluminum heads w/ high spring pressures.
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Re: Anyone have problem with Edelbrock heads?
[Re: BradH]
#1266756
07/13/12 10:33 AM
07/13/12 10:33 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,179 Atco NJ
DJVCuda
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,179
Atco NJ
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Quote:
What about longer studs? I don't like bolts in aluminum heads w/ high spring pressures.
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Re: Anyone have problem with Edelbrock heads?
[Re: DJVCuda]
#1266759
07/13/12 07:59 PM
07/13/12 07:59 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar
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Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
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Quote:
what was your thread engagement? did the break occur at the end of the bolt?
How much depth was leftover after the end of the bolt threads?
I elected to use studs, since I was going for a solid roller to get as much thread engagement as possible in the aluminum.
I was using bolts that were more than full engagement of the heli-coil, but there really is nothing for the bolt to grip onto below the helicoil because the hole was drilled for the helicoil. I don't recall the coil bind spec, but I have checked that, and that is not the problem. Anyhow, I'll fix it like I did the other side, mill it flat, install a 3/4" long Time-Sert, and add a spacer betwen the head and rocker hold down, and use the longest bolt that fits.
I may remove the other heli-coils and install the longer Time-Serts, but I'm not sure how hard it will be removing the heli-coils. I was thinking a reverse twist drill bit may do the trick?
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Re: Anyone have problem with Edelbrock heads?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#1266760
07/13/12 08:10 PM
07/13/12 08:10 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar
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OP
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Aurora, Colorado
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I needed to vent some frustration with the parts breakage, but that's just part of racing. The heads do seem to work good, it's just that they could have made a few minor changes to make them much better. Namely longer valves for a 2.0" valve spring install height, Raising the rocker shaft for the longer valves, using longer (or deeper) inserts for the rockershafts, raising the valve cover rail, and making the pushrod holes larger for more pushrod clearance.
I actually like Edelbrock parts, and normally their quality is great, but the quality/execution of these heads has been dissapointing.
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Re: Anyone have problem with Edelbrock heads?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#1266762
07/13/12 08:31 PM
07/13/12 08:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 671 Wisconsin USA
Bill MeLater
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Posts: 671
Wisconsin USA
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Quote:
Quote:
what was your thread engagement? did the break occur at the end of the bolt?
How much depth was leftover after the end of the bolt threads?
I elected to use studs, since I was going for a solid roller to get as much thread engagement as possible in the aluminum.
I was using bolts that were more than full engagement of the heli-coil, but there really is nothing for the bolt to grip onto below the helicoil because the hole was drilled for the helicoil. I don't recall the coil bind spec, but I have checked that, and that is not the problem. Anyhow, I'll fix it like I did the other side, mill it flat, install a 3/4" long Time-Sert, and add a spacer betwen the head and rocker hold down, and use the longest bolt that fits.
I may remove the other heli-coils and install the longer Time-Serts, but I'm not sure how hard it will be removing the heli-coils. I was thinking a reverse twist drill bit may do the trick?
Easiest way to remove Heli-Coils is get a pick in behind the uppermost coil and bend it in toward the hole, once you get that just grab it with a needle nose and they (un)wind right out. The only potetial problem I see is what size hole/tap do you need for the Time-Certs, will it work with the existing stands?
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Re: Anyone have problem with Edelbrock heads?
[Re: viperblue72]
#1266765
07/15/12 02:41 AM
07/15/12 02:41 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar
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Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
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Quote:
Are you sure your rocker stand bolt didn't bottom out?
I'm sure they were not bottoming out, I put the bolts in till they bottomed out and made sure they were lower than the rocker hold downs/stands.
Here is a picture of the head that broke last year that is fixed, and the rocker stands.
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