f-303 and stamped rockers

UglyFast88 · 03-19-2003, 03:24 PM

Hi everyone-

Here's what I'm planning and why, looking for some feedback...

306 with f-303 cam, Cobra upper and lower intake, with stock springs/stamped rockers.

I'm not going to run rollers because I'm not extending or eliminating the rev limiter. So, I don't need the rollers to float.

Is anyone running anything remotely close?

Thanx in advance...

86GT · 03-19-2003, 04:05 PM

IMO that won't work too well. There will be some people that'll say it'll be fine if you don't over-rev (ie Valve Float). But the springs won't be enough from a stock head, there's not enough seat pressure in them, so I recommend new springs at the very least.

The rockers would be alright for now. Rollers would be an improvement of course, but if you don't have the cash, then you can use them.

UglyFast88 · 03-19-2003, 04:30 PM

Hey 86GT-

Thanks for the reply. Here's my concern- I've heard some stories about having to replace roller rockers too often, and that they're more trouble than they're worth.

I've already got the roller rockers, came with the rest of the Cobra setup, from a '94 Cobra, and they've already got a lot of miles on them.

If I keep the stamped rockers on, I think they'll last a lot longer, and be more reliable. What would you recommend for springs to go with ported E7's and an f-303 cam with the Cobra setup?

Thanx again

gtsr515 · 03-19-2003, 05:43 PM

To me, not to be disrespectful, but adding a high lift cam and running old stock valve springs is a big mistake, you will never utilize the cam's potencial, and as far as Roller Rockers having to changed all the time is bull, I would much rather have rollers with 100,000 miles on em, than a brand new set of stamped, they will flex, etc.........it has nothing to do with extending the rev-limiter, with stock springs you may not even MAKE it to the rev-limiter.

Jay

86GT · 03-19-2003, 09:03 PM

Rollers are the best thing for a big cam. The reason is that they don't flex like the stamped ones. The wear thing is common, but not a huge problem. I've got my Crane Engergizer's with approx. 80,000kms on them. They've made a ticking sound from day one. Just check for visible wear on the roller tip, and too much side to side play. Other than that, I'd suggest using the rollers over the stamped.

As for valve springs, if you're running the stock heads, TFS makes an upgrade kit, available through Summit, and its got everything you need in it, shims, springs, locks, retainers, seals, etc. Call them and tell them what you're doing, and they can help. Otherwise Ford Racing makes a set that'll work too, but I'm not sure on the part number.

03-20-2003, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UglyFast88
Here's my concern- I've heard some stories about having to replace roller rockers too often, and that they're more trouble than they're worth.

I've already got the roller rockers, came with the rest of the Cobra setup, from a '94 Cobra, and they've already got a lot of miles on them.

If I keep the stamped rockers on, I think they'll last a lot longer, and be more reliable. What would you recommend for springs to go with ported E7's and an f-303 cam with the Cobra setup?

Thanx again

I don't know where you heard those stories but they are way off. As gtsr515 stated...no matter how many miles are on the rollers DEFINITELY use those over the stock stamped ones. When running the stock stamped rockers...there is metal rubbing (or should I say grinding) on metal with just some oil in between the two. It's just common sense to think that a roller, ball bearing tip on one end of that rotating part of your motor would work much more efficient & smoother. Use the rollers.

Dark_5.0 · 03-21-2003, 10:33 AM

The "F" cam is too much cam for your combo. F cam and stock heads is a bad idea. You would go faster with the B-303 cam.

The only person I have seen run a F cam with stock heads ran slower than with the stock cam.

MEDIK418 · 03-22-2003, 11:36 PM

I'm running an F-303 in the 89 with ported stock heads. True, they are a bottleneck and a set of TFS heads are coming soon. Slower than stock. . . . not hardly. We'll know for sure tomorrow.
Look at the roller rocker thing this way. Stock springs aren't going to work very long with the F303. It needs stronger springs. I did run the engine for a few weeks with the stock rockers and no valves ever floated up to 6200 rpm. BUT!!! With the heavy valve springs required for this cam, there was too much spring pressure for the stock rockers and they were beginning to wear into the fulcrums. Too much pressure forces out the oil and galls everything. Now. . . .I can't say I noticed any big power increases after the roller rockers but it does rev really easily. First gear will often bounce off the rev limiter often quicker than I can get out of the throttle. (MSD 6AL set at 6000 rpm) but that's more of a traction problem than anything else. I would go with the roller rockers if the F303 was in the future.

UglyFast88 · 03-24-2003, 10:06 AM

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm still looking at the following combo's:

1.) 306, ported E7's- Cobra upper & lower, roller rockers, f-303 cam, mass air conversion

2.) 306, ported E7's- Cobra upper & lower, roller rockers, stock '88 speed density cam, speed density setup

3.) 306, ported E7's- Cobra upper & lower, roller rockers,
e-303 cam, speed density setup

I'm leaning toward #2, just to see what I can do with it. Number 3 is in 2nd place, and #1 in a distant 3rd...

Thanx...

JM

03-19-2003, 04:30 PM	#3
UglyFast88 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fordland Posts: 117	Hey 86GT- Thanks for the reply. Here's my concern- I've heard some stories about having to replace roller rockers too often, and that they're more trouble than they're worth. I've already got the roller rockers, came with the rest of the Cobra setup, from a '94 Cobra, and they've already got a lot of miles on them. If I keep the stamped rockers on, I think they'll last a lot longer, and be more reliable. What would you recommend for springs to go with ported E7's and an f-303 cam with the Cobra setup? Thanx again __________________ '88 Speed Density LX 1998 Explorer motor 1.7 Roller Rockers GT-40 lower ported & polished Cobra upper intake MAC CAI Aluminum Pullies FRPP P-Shortys Cop car cam (to insult) Competition Engineering F/R adjustables Flowmasters New black carpet and... '84 Racin' Tempo seats! Cars' best run in 2002 with stock 150,000 mile 302 with pullies, exhaust and roller rockers only... 13.27 at 101.5 mph

03-19-2003, 05:43 PM	#4
gtsr515 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sunny, Hot, Sebring, Florida Posts: 725	no rollers? To me, not to be disrespectful, but adding a high lift cam and running old stock valve springs is a big mistake, you will never utilize the cam's potencial, and as far as Roller Rockers having to changed all the time is bull, I would much rather have rollers with 100,000 miles on em, than a brand new set of stamped, they will flex, etc.........it has nothing to do with extending the rev-limiter, with stock springs you may not even MAKE it to the rev-limiter. Jay __________________ Remember...2nd place is 1st place for losers!

03-19-2003, 09:03 PM	#5
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	Rollers are the best thing for a big cam. The reason is that they don't flex like the stamped ones. The wear thing is common, but not a huge problem. I've got my Crane Engergizer's with approx. 80,000kms on them. They've made a ticking sound from day one. Just check for visible wear on the roller tip, and too much side to side play. Other than that, I'd suggest using the rollers over the stamped. As for valve springs, if you're running the stock heads, TFS makes an upgrade kit, available through Summit, and its got everything you need in it, shims, springs, locks, retainers, seals, etc. Call them and tell them what you're doing, and they can help. Otherwise Ford Racing makes a set that'll work too, but I'm not sure on the part number. __________________ 2002 Windsor Weekend Q16 Qualifier

03-21-2003, 10:33 AM	#7
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	The "F" cam is too much cam for your combo. F cam and stock heads is a bad idea. You would go faster with the B-303 cam. The only person I have seen run a F cam with stock heads ran slower than with the stock cam. __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

03-22-2003, 11:36 PM	#8
MEDIK418 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Amarillo, Texas, USA Posts: 780	I'm running an F-303 in the 89 with ported stock heads. True, they are a bottleneck and a set of TFS heads are coming soon. Slower than stock. . . . not hardly. We'll know for sure tomorrow. Look at the roller rocker thing this way. Stock springs aren't going to work very long with the F303. It needs stronger springs. I did run the engine for a few weeks with the stock rockers and no valves ever floated up to 6200 rpm. BUT!!! With the heavy valve springs required for this cam, there was too much spring pressure for the stock rockers and they were beginning to wear into the fulcrums. Too much pressure forces out the oil and galls everything. Now. . . .I can't say I noticed any big power increases after the roller rockers but it does rev really easily. First gear will often bounce off the rev limiter often quicker than I can get out of the throttle. (MSD 6AL set at 6000 rpm) but that's more of a traction problem than anything else. I would go with the roller rockers if the F303 was in the future. __________________ 1986 four-eyed LX coupe, 358 Cleveland, Tremec TKO600/centerforce clutch, dish cut Probe forged pistons, comp cams hyd.roller cam, .579/.588@224/230, Edel.performer, 670 holley street avenger, CPR custom built long tubes, ported and polished 4bbl heads, manley valves, beehive springs, MSD peo-billet dist/MSD6AL, fluidamper, 5 lug conv. with 17x8 bullits there's more but it's still not finished yet. Oh, and the oldest boy is turning his 89 GT into a FFR cobra this next summer.

03-19-2003, 03:24 PM	#1
UglyFast88 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fordland Posts: 117	f-303 and stamped rockers Hi everyone- Here's what I'm planning and why, looking for some feedback... 306 with f-303 cam, Cobra upper and lower intake, with stock springs/stamped rockers. I'm not going to run rollers because I'm not extending or eliminating the rev limiter. So, I don't need the rollers to float. Is anyone running anything remotely close? Thanx in advance... __________________ '88 Speed Density LX 1998 Explorer motor 1.7 Roller Rockers GT-40 lower ported & polished Cobra upper intake MAC CAI Aluminum Pullies FRPP P-Shortys Cop car cam (to insult) Competition Engineering F/R adjustables Flowmasters New black carpet and... '84 Racin' Tempo seats! Cars' best run in 2002 with stock 150,000 mile 302 with pullies, exhaust and roller rockers only... 13.27 at 101.5 mph

03-19-2003, 04:05 PM	#2
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	IMO that won't work too well. There will be some people that'll say it'll be fine if you don't over-rev (ie Valve Float). But the springs won't be enough from a stock head, there's not enough seat pressure in them, so I recommend new springs at the very least. The rockers would be alright for now. Rollers would be an improvement of course, but if you don't have the cash, then you can use them. __________________ 2002 Windsor Weekend Q16 Qualifier

03-24-2003, 10:06 AM	#9
UglyFast88 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fordland Posts: 117	Thanks for the input, guys. I'm still looking at the following combo's: 1.) 306, ported E7's- Cobra upper & lower, roller rockers, f-303 cam, mass air conversion 2.) 306, ported E7's- Cobra upper & lower, roller rockers, stock '88 speed density cam, speed density setup 3.) 306, ported E7's- Cobra upper & lower, roller rockers, e-303 cam, speed density setup I'm leaning toward #2, just to see what I can do with it. Number 3 is in 2nd place, and #1 in a distant 3rd... Thanx... JM __________________ '88 Speed Density LX 1998 Explorer motor 1.7 Roller Rockers GT-40 lower ported & polished Cobra upper intake MAC CAI Aluminum Pullies FRPP P-Shortys Cop car cam (to insult) Competition Engineering F/R adjustables Flowmasters New black carpet and... '84 Racin' Tempo seats! Cars' best run in 2002 with stock 150,000 mile 302 with pullies, exhaust and roller rockers only... 13.27 at 101.5 mph