Source for 2.8L Rocker shafts?

weaselkeeper · Oct 9, 2009

I'm assembling an engine and looking for new rocker shafts for a 2.8. Anyone know of a good source? So far, I've had no luck for new ones. NAPA, Shucks, Carquest, Autozone, compcams Jegs, Ford, and others, no luck yet. Used ones I can find, but but the ones I've looked at feel pretty rough and not different than what I took out of the core. I'd rather put new shafts along with all the other new parts this motor has. Rocker arms, I can find, although a little pricey.

I appreciate any help.

Jim E · Oct 10, 2009

Send them to Delta Camshaft, they rebuild them surface the tips and do a couple oiling modifications and install a locking adjuster, last time I had it done was $75 plus shipping.

weaselkeeper · Oct 10, 2009

Jim. Thank you, I'll do just that. After I posted, the machine shop called back and found some new ones in TX, but were nearly $375 for the fully assembled pair. I like your idea much better. Thanks again.

Alan F · Oct 11, 2009

I just bought some from Delta and they were $86.00 plus a $42.00 core. I received them Thursday and they look good. I still need to put them on and see how they work. I worked with Scott at Delta he was very helpful and responsive.

Alan

weaselkeeper · Oct 19, 2009

Got 'em in the mail, installed and adjusted. Awesome. thanks for the help.

Mod_Squad! · Oct 21, 2009

Anyone know if they make a roller rocker we can use?

I remember in my air-cooled VW days that the roller rocker was a big deal. I think it's supposed to be better because it allows for less resistance probably. Anyway, I doubt there are any out there for us unless we share the same rockers as some other engine.

socorob · Oct 21, 2009

There's also a rocker mod on the ranger station that's supposed to give less resistance. It replaces the springs with tubes. Has anyone tried that and does it work?

todd reid · Oct 22, 2009

2.8 rocker shafts

I beleive the mod you are referring to is also discussed in Pruitt's book. No reason why it wouldn't work if done properly, but I'm not sure you would see or feel a noticable difference in street driving. My take away was that it was another way to squeeze another hp or two out of a high revving competition engine.

V6 JOSE · Oct 22, 2009

Hi Todd,

Sven Pruitt is describing how to build a race engine. A race engine is built to get every ounce of power out of it, regardless of cost or effort. For 99.9% of the engines that are going to run on the street, you donÂ´t need to go to these extreems.

A race engine doesnÂ´t have to last 200,000 miles, so doing things that eke out every last bit of horse power, can justify the cost and effort. If you were to build an engine according to Sven PruittÂ´s instructions, you will have an exterrmly fast emgine, but it will be a hand grenade. It wonÂ´t last 5,000 miles on the street, plus it wonÂ´t be much fun to drive on the street.

I have gotten 200+ hp out of a very streetable version of the 2.8 V6. It will run on regular gas and give about 25 mpg. too. Why would anyone want to get maybe 30/40 hp. more and make it a short lived bomb?

The stock valve gear is plenty good for a street engine. I used to buzz my engines to 7,000 rpm., and never had any problems.

Jose

RootesRacer · Oct 22, 2009

socorob said:
There's also a rocker mod on the ranger station that's supposed to give less resistance. It replaces the springs with tubes. Has anyone tried that and does it work?

I did this on an alpine engine, which has a similar rocker+spring setup.

Its a bunch of trouble getting the clearances right, and wont yield you a single HP. Its something some people do to insure that the rocker stays where it should at high RPMs.

For all but the most serious engine it would be a waste of time.