Ford Racing has a bolt-in, yup, no machining, roller rocker coversion for the 351C.
part # M-6564-C351
Pricing at a Ford Racing dealer - only those can sell this part - is $375
At JEGS or Summit is about $370
I still am waiting for my heads to return from my machinist so I have not installed the rockers. I'm a bit concerned about the mounting bolt length, as the new ones are about 7/32" longer. Can't check this with the heads still at the shop, though.
Has anyone else installed these rockers? Any advice?
I am assuming - yea, I know..... - that Ford knows what they are doing and this is a plug-n-play upgrade. Just wanted the rest of you know about it.
Larry
UPDATE: 7-11-09
The install went fine. I found I needed to purchase the shim kit for this installation to get preload set-up correctly.
LINK HERE:
http://tinyurl.com/l2ymob
While usually hydraulic lifters do not need any shimming for such pre-load, this conversion does. It adds a time consuming step to the install, but is just time and thinking, not rocket science. I found the pedestals and shims varied in dimensions, and had to spend considerable time mixing shims and pedestals to get things correct. The last two rockers, I couldn't get the right combo with the shims I had left over, and had to do MILD sanding of the pedestal bases using a hard flat surface and crocus cloth. I've put 1000's of miles on the car now, with no problems.
My engine builder, who is THE Ford guy in Fresno and does everything from 4-banger turboed Offy engines to full blown tractor pull aluminum Arias blocks, said for my engine there was no need for the larger stud, machining-necessary, roller rocker conversion. I trusted him, and am happy with the conversion.
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