Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
BB iron rockers #3062004
07/24/22 05:48 AM
07/24/22 05:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,571
Abilene, Texas
F
fastmark Offline OP
master
fastmark  Offline OP
master
F

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,571
Abilene, Texas
I’m looking for iron rockers for a street build. My friend says he’s found some early wedge oem iron rockers that his friend had on an old wedge race motor. He does not think they are max wedge. Are the original max wedge the same offset as a std BB? Did any early hp wedge engine have iron adjustable rockers? I’ve seen some on eBay that look like the old Iskys but without the hardened pad.

Another question. I’ve got a set of cranes iron rockers that were bought 30 years ago with almost no miles and look perfect. Are they pretty good rockers?

Re: BB iron rockers [Re: fastmark] #3062020
07/24/22 08:28 AM
07/24/22 08:28 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,038
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
Don't question me!
S

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,038
Ontario, Canada
Quote
Another question. I’ve got a set of cranes iron rockers that were bought 30 years ago with almost no miles and look perfect. Are they pretty good rockers?


Yes !!

All B engine heads have the same valve spacing so Iron rockers from any of the older heads will work. What you need to watch out for is galling in the shaft bores and wear on the pads. Slight wear isn't an issue nor are some minor heat cracking of the surface but if there's a groove worn into the pad then forget it.

The best iron rockers by far are the old Iskys with the hardened pad inserts.

Re: BB iron rockers [Re: fastmark] #3062039
07/24/22 10:47 AM
07/24/22 10:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,203
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
I Win
AndyF  Offline
I Win
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,203
Oregon
Any old BB rocker arm will work as long as it is in good shape. Only thing to watch out for is side to side spacing. You can even mix and match different brands on the same shaft but you have to really pay attention to the side to side spacing. You might need to do some machine work or use shims to get them in the correct location.

Re: BB iron rockers [Re: AndyF] #3062050
07/24/22 11:22 AM
07/24/22 11:22 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,539
So. Burlington, Vt.
F
fast68plymouth Offline
I Live Here
fast68plymouth  Offline
I Live Here
F

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,539
So. Burlington, Vt.
I bought a set of Isky rockers in the mid-80’s. They had never been used but were probably at least 10 years old when I bought them.
The bodies were wider than the Cranes I was running at the time.
Enough so that with the rocker body contacting the hold own tab, the rocker was pretty far from centered on the valve.
I ended up using the Crane rockers as a template and narrowed the Iskys to match.


68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
Re: BB iron rockers [Re: fast68plymouth] #3062116
07/24/22 02:58 PM
07/24/22 02:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,203
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
I Win
AndyF  Offline
I Win
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,203
Oregon
Yep, I learned that lesson the hard way when I installed some Isky rockers right out of the box. I assumed that since they were made by Isky that they would bolt on. I was young and at the time I assumed that since Isky was a legend that his parts would fit and work. Sadly I learned that Isky takes no shame in selling a bunch of stuff that doesn't work!
I eventually designed a little jig that held the rocker arm in the lathe so I could quickly narrow the bodies. Once I figured out that Isky (and others) just sold "core parts" which needed to be finished before using I became more successful as an engine builder.

Re: BB iron rockers [Re: AndyF] #3062210
07/24/22 08:22 PM
07/24/22 08:22 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,038
Ontario, Canada
S
Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
Don't question me!
S

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,038
Ontario, Canada
Quote
The bodies were wider than the Cranes I was running at the time.


Not everyone owns a lathe. That said, the Iskys work fine if you cut the tabs off the stock holddowns and put a thin shim between them.







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1