Rocker arm valve spring clearance

Has anyone had a problem with their rocker arms and valve spring retainer clearance? my machine shop guy set up a set of J heads for me with Ferrea stainless valves (1.60 & 2,02) pn 5051&5050 Comp 10 deg. retainers and locks Comp springs, I have tried 4-different sets of rockers on these heads (1.5 ratio)along with 0.30 shims under the shafts and lash caps the only ones that will clear is an old set of 273s (iron) that have been ground away in the shaft area and under the arm itself, the heads were set up for correct spring height etc. and for use up to a 600 lift cam, I am running a solid lifter cam with only 528 lift I had these heads on my other engine with a 557 lift cam same problem. I have a lot of money in these heads and hate to buy another set.

I had to clearance the Crane aluminum roller rockers for the retainer. Small block .528" Mopar Performance cam.

I've had clearance issues with Crane ductile iron rockers and others over the years. Aluminum rockers are worse because they do tend to have more "meat" to maintain strength with aluminum. It's possible to experiment with smaller diameter springs and retainers, but beehive springs have made that problem easier to overcome these days.

The OEM head design is part of the reason why race heads, particularly W-2's, were modified to work with rocker shaft blocks where the shaft could be relocated. It was to clear larger race valve springs and retainers as well as to get the proper geometry with taller valves.

Watch how you clearance the rockers because they can break! I had some iron Cranes break after clearancing after several years. But I also noticed that I left a "corner" at the top part of the relieved area instead of blending it smooth. That provides a perfect spot for a crack to start.

i had some comp cams retainers touch so i tried some Crowers, they're a different shape across the top & gave me 0.020 clearence.

My ti Isky retainers slightly touched my Harland-Sharps but I just left em figuring they clearanced themselves.............no carnage after six years so there they stay.

I just sent my Harland Sharp rockers back to them to clerance .025 and re-anodize, they say it is a common problem with small blocks and some valve spring set ups

I had a set of Js that had the rocker pedistals milled off, and the guy used a set of offset W2 shafts, and then the Harlan sharps I had fit them. I had a similar issue with a set of Brodis B1Ba heads I had, I had them clearanced .025 from HS and they still barely hit. I dont have them anymore. I bought Indybrocks, and the stud in the rocker pedistal is accually moved back in the pedistal and re machined to use a stock mopar 440 rocker. There are other ways to get our clearance it is just a matter of how much time and money you have to use in a set of Js. The Js I had came off a dirt latemodel engine, and heavily modified.

Kasey