Cam, spring, pushrod only swap question

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Mar 9, 2018 | 01:17 AM

Roadrunner96

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Staging Lane

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Cam, spring, pushrod only swap question

Currently my motor is tore down to the short block due to a blown head gasket. It has been sitting like this for some time now due to low funds and lack of time. I am now going to make it a priority to get the car back together. The original plan was to have the heads ported and cam changed but i am still short on funds. I currently have everything to put it back together without mods. I can afford to invest a few hundred more dollars into it. If i was able to get my hands on a used cc503 or similar cam, can i just change the springs and pushrods while using the factory locks, retainers, rockers without problems?

Mar 9, 2018 | 09:02 AM

v8vette84

Launching!

Joined: Feb 2010

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From: Capital region, NY

From what I understand you certainly can run the factory stamped rockers. I don't know how long they will last but I have read of people using them cc503 cars.

I guess I would be concerned about premature failure. Aftermarket rockers are not horribly priced and I personally would like the peace of mind. I have cheaped out on builds before and I have regretted it EVERY time.

Bottom line I do believe you can. Put it together and check it. Hopefully someone else will chime in that knows for sure. I have never run the stockers on a cammed engine before.

Mar 9, 2018 | 10:02 AM

BALLSS

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yes you can re-use your stock stamped 1.5 rockers. The Crane 10308-1 spring would work re-using your stock locks

Your stock push rods should also be OK

put new valve stem seals on. Felpro would be fine

Mar 14, 2018 | 07:48 PM

Roadrunner96

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Quote:

Originally Posted by v8vette84

Thank for the reply. I dont plan on leaving the stamped rockers on for any longer then i have too. In the near future i will be replacing them with nsa 1.6rr, guideplates, 7/16 rocker studs, and a few other odds and ends. Just gling the cheaper route at the moment because that motor is tore apart so just doing the cam swap now to get that out of the way.

Mar 14, 2018 | 07:54 PM

Roadrunner96

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Staging Lane

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ******

thanks for the reply. I was hoping for something cheaper but o well. I placed a order today for them. I will be needing new pushrods anyways. I just got my heads back yesterday from the shop i took them to to have them clean and checked. and they had to be shaved 10 thousands to true up the head surface. And from my understanding the factory head gasket have a compressed thickness of .049in. The replacement head gaskets i have have a thickness of .039in. So i will be needing pushrods roughly 20 thousands shorter. I have a length checker on order so i will be checking it when i get to putting it together. And yes i do have new valve seals.

Mar 14, 2018 | 11:51 PM

ACE1252

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Joined: Jun 2013

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From: Kernersville, NC

Don't be so quick to assume you need a shorter pushrod. My heads were decked back around 2000 and went back together with the stock length. Both heads were out around 0.003-0.004" so I'm assuming they got around 0.010" decked as well...so I've been running with decked heads and the stock length pushrod for 18 years.

I checked the sweep years ago when I installed my CC503, 1.6 rockers, 1518 springs, etc. It was fairly narrow and just off center on the exhaust side. I didn't see any need to change from the stock 7.2" pushrod, so I didn't.

I'd say worth checking, but don't think you automatically need it. My intake was never touched either.