BB rocker arm

[Phil A.]

A 67 400hp, what would be the optimal rocker arm a stock one or a roller tip one? Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: BB rocker arm

Phil-----

I don't think that a roller-tip rocker arm adds enough to the rocker arm equation to justify using it. There may be some advantage to rigidity and preciseness of rocker ratio to justify them, though. However, for a more-or-less stock L-68, there's really not enough of an advantage to even consider the roller tip rockers. I can tell you that I'd never use them.

Fully rollerized rocker arms are another matter. In these, both the fulcrum and the tip are rollerized. The fulcrums pivot on needle bearings. I think that this design does offer advantages. One of these is the reduction in friction (and, consequently, heat) generated at the rocker fulcrum.

GM first went to rollerized rockers for a PRODUCTION engine with the 1996 LT4 engine. Then, for the Gen III small block first released for the 1997 model year, all small blocks got roller rocker arms. Except for the 1996 LT4, though, NONE have used roller tips.

[Joe L.]

Re: BB rocker arm

Phil-----

I don't think that a roller-tip rocker arm adds enough to the rocker arm equation to justify using it. There may be some advantage to rigidity and preciseness of rocker ratio to justify them, though. However, for a more-or-less stock L-68, there's really not enough of an advantage to even consider the roller tip rockers. I can tell you that I'd never use them.

Fully rollerized rocker arms are another matter. In these, both the fulcrum and the tip are rollerized. The fulcrums pivot on needle bearings. I think that this design does offer advantages. One of these is the reduction in friction (and, consequently, heat) generated at the rocker fulcrum.

GM first went to rollerized rockers for a PRODUCTION engine with the 1996 LT4 engine. Then, for the Gen III small block first released for the 1997 model year, all small blocks got roller rocker arms. Except for the 1996 LT4, though, NONE have used roller tips.