Question about Crane Gold roller rockers

[RECHRGD]

When I re-did the top end of the 440 a few years ago I used the above mentioned rocker arms.  They came with the spring type spacers (see picture).  That always seemed a little iffy to me, but I've had no problems to date.  Just wondering if it would be worthwhile to go to some sort of solid spacer or am I just inventing a problem.   Thanks, Bob

[Challenger340]

YES !
Most Definately, get spacers !

Crane Golds are a surprisingly decent Rocker with spacers, or were anyways, dunno their status these days ?

[RECHRGD]

YES !
Most Definately, get spacers !

Crane Golds are a surprisingly decent Rocker with spacers, or were anyways, dunno their status these days ?

Thanks !  Any suggestions on what to use?

[MSRacing89]

http://store.440source.com/Rockers-Arms-Shafts-Misc-Hardware/products/50/

I run Crane Golds and use the 440 source billet hold downs.  I still run the springs in between and we turn it pretty hard.

[RECHRGD]

http://store.440source.com/Rockers-Arms-Shafts-Misc-Hardware/products/50/

I run Crane Golds and use the 440 source billet hold downs.  I still run the springs in between and we turn it pretty hard.

Thanks for the link !    I wonder if the spacers they sell will work with the Crane Golds?  Those hold downs look nice...

[Musicman]

Hughes has a nice set of billet hold downs as well...
http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/products.php?browse=category&level0=QmlnIEJsb2NrICA0MTMtNDI2LTQ0MCAoUmFpc2VkIERlY2sp&level1=Um9ja2VyIEFybXMgJiBBY2Nlc3Nvcmllcw==&searchmode=partnumber&page=3&partid=22924

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/products.php?browse=category&level0=QmlnIEJsb2NrICA0MTMtNDI2LTQ0MCAoUmFpc2VkIERlY2sp&level1=Um9ja2VyIEFybXMgJiBBY2Nlc3Nvcmllcw==&searchmode=partnumber&page=3

[RECHRGD]

Hughes has a nice set of billet hold downs as well...
http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/products.php?browse=category&level0=QmlnIEJsb2NrICA0MTMtNDI2LTQ0MCAoUmFpc2VkIERlY2sp&level1=Um9ja2VyIEFybXMgJiBBY2Nlc3Nvcmllcw==&searchmode=partnumber&page=3&partid=22924

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/products.php?browse=category&level0=QmlnIEJsb2NrICA0MTMtNDI2LTQ0MCAoUmFpc2VkIERlY2sp&level1=Um9ja2VyIEFybXMgJiBBY2Nlc3Nvcmllcw==&searchmode=partnumber&page=3

Thanks !

[firefighter3931]

http://store.440source.com/Rockers-Arms-Shafts-Misc-Hardware/products/50/

I run Crane Golds and use the 440 source billet hold downs.  I still run the springs in between and we turn it pretty hard.

I've ran the ductile iron Cranes in the past on a few builds and used the springs and stock hold downs....no problems. 


Ron

[chargerbr549]

I ran the Crane Golds on my 440 with the their spring spacer setup and it ran for years that way with no problems but when I built  the 512 for my Charger I replaced the springs with spacers that I made, I guess maybe for just some peace of mind type thing.

kevin

[BSB67]

Although the springs have been around forever and used by several rocker suppliers, they do seem a little cheesy, but have never heard of a problem with them.  I prefer to not have the constant side load between the spring, rocker, and hold down.  Use a shim between each of those points.

[elacruze]

Hughes rockers come with hard spacers which I'm sure they sell separately and I used their billet hold-downs as well. The spacers are awesome, but the hold-downs required machining because they were too wide which cost me another $50. In the end, that made them a perfect fit and I'm well-pleased with everything.

[RECHRGD]

Hughes rockers come with hard spacers which I'm sure they sell separately and I used their billet hold-downs as well. The spacers are awesome, but the hold-downs required machining because they were too wide which cost me another $50. In the end, that made them a perfect fit and I'm well-pleased with everything.

Good looking setup !!!!

[Musicman]

I have the same 1.6 setup on mine, but never had an issue with the hold downs. 

[Challenger340]

The Spacers and better hold downs on the Crane Golds, in my experience anyways, is just always a good idea when using Spring Rates above 350#, with over the Nose going above 300# and seat above 120#, which pretty much covers the majority of performance Cams these days ?
Anytime there is a Rocker offset, even on the .465" stuff for INDY SR/EZ,Eddy, etc., etc., there will be pressures sideways, according to the resistance of the Springs the Rocker is working against ? Which can contribute to Valvetrain stability issues.
Why leave it to a small spring ?
Why NOT limit potential sideways Rocker travel with a spacer ?

That said,
YES, they will work with the Springs on the lower offset Rockers, lotsa guys seem to do it with no problems ? but I personally just don't chance it anymore, because,
I have experienced problems in the past on the Dyno with upper RPM breakdown in the power curve, that I was able to cure by removing the Springs and installing Solid Spacers, telling me anyways, there WAS some lack of valvetrain/Rocker stability present ?

If you do buy spacers,
make sure to "fit" them, so there is .010" to .015" clearance on the Rockers in pairs between the Bolts.

I also am a firm believer in the Spacers as a benefit when using the Crane Golds, because, I have seen them LIVE in a Roller Cam Environment, at 275# Seat pressures and OVER 600# at lift using spacers, for plus 500 runs at the Drag Strip, with NO PROBLEMS !
NOT,
that I am saying the Crane Gold Rocker is OK for that Environment, and should be used...
I am not...
there are far better Rocker Systems out there for that ?
Just that I cannot argue with some Guys who do, and the Golds work fine for them on a 500 run replacement program being well priced ?

Some pretty comical "dumb stares" have ensued in the Pits, when an 8 second Car removes his Valve Covers to check Valve Lash, and people watching see "Crane Golds" staring back ?  

[RECHRGD]

Good info guys!  My rockers are 1.5's, but my cam lift is 526/526 so I guess this might be a worthwhile little winter project to add to the list.  Do you know if the Hughes rockers are the same width as the Cranes so that the spacers would work?

[Chryco Psycho]

I had a set machined to spec for a build a while back , as long as the sapcers are too long you can mill them down

[elacruze]

Good info guys!  My rockers are 1.5's, but my cam lift is 526/526 so I guess this might be a worthwhile little winter project to add to the list.  Do you know if the Hughes rockers are the same width as the Cranes so that the spacers would work?

don't know, but if you have a competent machinist (with a magnetic surface grinder preferably) it's not much $$ to shorten and center them.