[345coupe]

It is time to take the plunge and rebuild my first engine. A coworker is giving me a Ford 289. It will be a "learning" engine for me. I want to keep it stock to slightly mild. I have searched the site's old posts and still have a question. Are roller tip rockers that much of a difference, or do they fall in the every little bit helps category? confused:

I don't want to go to full rollers, as this is my first try at an engine and I tend to be more of an "old school is the only school" type of guy. Thanks.:

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

The biggest advantage roller rockers have is that of imparting less side movement to the valve as it operates, thus less guide wear, also a bit less pivot point friction on high pressure springs.

[galaxieguy3]

Since you are not looking to squeeze out every ounce of performance that a 289 is capable of, I wouldnt worry about roller rockers. Yes, roller rockers may be superior in many ways as compared to the old stamped steel rockers, but they also come at a premium price. Unless your originals are excessively worn and need to be replaced, I would re- use them. If you decided down the road you wanted to change them anyway it only cost you a set of valve cover gaskets.
Just a note, You can also switch to higher ratio roller rocker if you wanted a little more valve lift. Same as installing a cam with more lift even though the duration would be the same.