Are Crane Gold Aluminum Rocker Arms good for a street/strip car?

[Blakcharger440]

I have been reading alot about the Crane Gold aluminum rockers breaking. Are they not supposed to be used on a street and strip applicatoin?
My block will be back from the machine shop soon (512 stroker build with Stealth Heads) and I am wanting to buy a good set of rocker arms and I thought the Cranes would be the ones to get but now I am not so sure......this will be in a 70 Charger RT with a 4speed.

I will be running solid camshaft.

[General_01]

I just got a set for my 496 stroker I am having built. Sure hope they are OK to use.

[RECHRGD]

I've got some for my new build, so they better be.  They were sold to me by a Dwayne Porter at Porter Racing Heads.  He did the porting on my heads and spec'd out the cam grind.  He knew that my car was mostly just going to be a strong street cruiser and spec'd everything based upon that.  He is very well respected on this board and Moparts and would not lead anybody down the wrong road.  I have talked to others also about them with only positive feedback.  I think some issues may come into play with real high spring pressures on a street application, but for most street/strip cars they should be just fine.  Bob

[GreenMachine]

I have more than 35,000 miles on mine with no problems.

[firefighter3931]

Crane Golds are fine for a street strip build using a flat tappet cam.  With a Roller cam a more durable rocker arm is a much better choice for longevity. 


Ron

[charger50071]

I would use the Crane Magnum rocker or the cast iron rockers instead of the Crane Gold. The Gold rockers are a very good piece however depending on the spring pressure you have the Crane Gold can crack on the bottom side where the shaft goes through. Remember aluminum can and will fatigue, I know it cost me an engine and I will NEVER use them again on a street engine.

[Blakcharger440]

I would use the Crane Magnum rocker or the cast iron rockers instead of the Crane Gold. The Gold rockers are a very good piece however depending on the spring pressure you have the Crane Gold can crack on the bottom side where the shaft goes through. Remember aluminum can and will fatigue, I know it cost me an engine and I will NEVER use them again on a street engine.

Stories like that are scary. I will be more than likely running a solid flat tappet cam somewhere in the 560 lift and .042 duration area. I wonder if that much of cam would have too high of spring pressures for those rockers to live on a street motor.

[Blakcharger440]

Crane Golds are fine for a street strip build using a flat tappet cam.  With a Roller cam a more durable rocker arm is a much better choice for longevity. 


Ron

I will go ahead and get the Crane aluminum rockers as the car will only be driven on the weekends with the occasional blast down the strip.
Should I get the Crane 1.6 rockers to maximize what ever solid cam I get?

[firefighter3931]

Crane Golds are fine for a street strip build using a flat tappet cam.  With a Roller cam a more durable rocker arm is a much better choice for longevity. 


Ron

I will go ahead and get the Crane aluminum rockers as the car will only be driven on the weekends with the occasional blast down the strip.
Should I get the Crane 1.6 rockers to maximize what ever solid cam I get?

It really depends on the cam profile. Using a 1.6 rocker with an agressive cam requires more spring pressure to keep the valvetrain stable at high rpm which in turn puts more strain on the cam/lifters/rocker arms.  With a fast rate cam i would stay with a 1.5 rocker and keep the VS pressures in the 350-375lb range....it's safer and will last much longer. 

Don't worry about the Crane Golds, my buddy (Blown68 Coronet) ran those for years on his 440 with flat tappet hydraulic & solid cams...the biggest being the MP 590. Lots of abuse and track days and they lasted fine until he upgraded to a roller cam with 550lb spring pressure then it was game over.....2 rockers snapped at the fulcrum and it was time for a serious upgrade to Harland Sharp. 


If you're planning on using a solid cam spend a little extra cash and order a set of EDM lifters with priority lobe oiling. 



Ron

[Blakcharger440]

Crane Golds are fine for a street strip build using a flat tappet cam.  With a Roller cam a more durable rocker arm is a much better choice for longevity. 


Ron

I will go ahead and get the Crane aluminum rockers as the car will only be driven on the weekends with the occasional blast down the strip.
Should I get the Crane 1.6 rockers to maximize what ever solid cam I get?

It really depends on the cam profile. Using a 1.6 rocker with an agressive cam requires more spring pressure to keep the valvetrain stable at high rpm which in turn puts more strain on the cam/lifters/rocker arms.  With a fast rate cam i would stay with a 1.5 rocker and keep the VS pressures in the 350-375lb range....it's safer and will last much longer. 

Don't worry about the Crane Golds, my buddy (Blown68 Coronet) ran those for years on his 440 with flat tappet hydraulic & solid cams...the biggest being the MP 590. Lots of abuse and track days and they lasted fine until he upgraded to a roller cam with 550lb spring pressure then it was game over.....2 rockers snapped at the fulcrum and it was time for a serious upgrade to Harland Sharp. 


If you're planning on using a solid cam spend a little extra cash and order a set of EDM lifters with priority lobe oiling. 



Ron

It sounds like the Crane Golds will be fine for the cams that best fit my build up and requirements.  I have never heard of EDM lifters. I thought all solid lifters were just that...solid?

[runningman]

Ron recommended them for me as well.  Here is the link he provided http://www.competitionproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=91718