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Drivetrain => The Nailhead => Topic started by: 35chevcoupe on June 10, 2018, 11:31:55 AM

Title: nailhead rocker arms ?
Post by: 35chevcoupe on June 10, 2018, 11:31:55 AM

Hey all ,  What are you doing for rocker arms when doing a rebuild ?   I,m seeing all kinds of options out there but confused on some of them .
Thought i heard Tom T. roller rockers weren,t available yet but someone has them on e bay .    Could reface the tip on the original ones  that touches the valve but that increases the pushrod length . I also see Russ Martin has complete new sets with the shafts .
Thoughts ?

Title: Re: nailhead rocker arms ?
Post by: cwmcobra on June 10, 2018, 11:36:03 AM

Hey John,

I bought a refurbished set from Carmen.  He cleans and reconditions the arms, including the valve tip pads and assembles them onto new shafts.  That was the best I could come up with.  I wasn't aware that Russ Martin offers new ones; that could be a better alternative.

I have also heard that if the shafts are worn, many people simply flip them over so that the worn surfaces are on top, providing a fresh wear surface on the bottom where the stress and wear occur.

Keep us posted on your research!

 :cheers2:

Chuck

Title: Re: nailhead rocker arms ?
Post by: WkillGS on June 10, 2018, 12:37:24 PM

Rockerarms Unlimited rebuilds them. Bores them out, inserts bronze bushings, and might replace the tips.
http://www.rockerarms.com/index.html (http://www.rockerarms.com/index.html)

New shafts were available from Napa, etc.
I haven't heard anything about the repo rockers until you guys mentioned them. Must be a relatively new item.

Title: Re: nailhead rocker arms ?
Post by: GS66 on June 10, 2018, 01:51:10 PM

John, I think some people still have sets of Toms rollers.

Title: Re: nailhead rocker arms ?
Post by: 35chevcoupe on June 10, 2018, 09:47:20 PM

Thanks guys for the info .  Think i,ll give Russ Martin a call and see if he has them in stock . That way there won,t be any waiting . Might give rocker arms unlimited a call also and get more info on there,s too . looks like they want the originals for cores which makes me think they are rebushing them  .   
I,ll let you know what I decide .

Title: Re: nailhead rocker arms ?
Post by: GreatScat1965 on June 11, 2018, 07:46:08 AM

John, I hope the build goes well. IF you decide to go with stock rocker arms as I've dome please keep two things in mind. I know I may have mentioned this in another post in more detail but the short version is there are two different push rod end styles and that will be predicated on the lifters you end up using and since these are non adjustable rockers you really should measure the assembled motor to determine the correct push rod length. Decking,the block, milling the heads, and using something other than a steel shim gasket can effect the correct pushrod length.  I'm not sure who else has them but Carmen Fasco has the various length pushrods available. 


Jerry,

Title: Re: nailhead rocker arms ?
Post by: 35chevcoupe on June 11, 2018, 10:25:44 PM

Thanks Jerry , I do remember reading that post  .  I will be sure to pay attention to that .  I have a couple different length push rods here but I will make sure to check the diameter also .