[Torque454]

It seems too simple the way Chiltons describes it. It says to install the rocker arm, and tighten the bolt down to 18-15 ft lb. It doesn't say anything about putting the #1 cylinder at TDC, removing the lash out of such n such valves and then rotate the engine and do it again. That is what I am used to.

Is it REALLY that simple? Just put the rocker arms on there and tighten them down? No need to have the engine in a certain position or anything like that?

I'm ordinarily a Chevy guy so this 302 is new to me...

[JeffB]

1969 and later that is true,unless you have installed a higher lift cam then you will need to get a pushrod length checker(Comp Cams has them) and then you will shim the rockers or change to the correct length pushrods.SBF's prior to '68 had stud mount rockers that adjust like a SBC.

[Torque454]

wow thats news to me. I did not know i would have to shim the rockers or change pushrods - i do plan on changing cams which is why i was asking about the rocker arms.

[JeffB]

Here is better idea and also budget friendly http://www.hotrodders.com/classified...1&cat=2&page=4 This would be a better solution and not a PIA like doing the pushrods and shim deal.The other advantage is these heads have a smaller chamber for more compression and with the stud mount rockers the cam swap would be an EZ deal,there are some good articles on www.fordmuscle.com in the Tech section about some home porting you can do to help it breathe.

[Mr. P-Body]

If the base circle on the new cam is the same as the stock cam, there will be no need for "adjustment". This is the "rule", not the "exception. The vast majoprity of American V8s made since '65 are "torque down" rockers, including the last generation of small block Chevy (through '97).

Generally, until lift numbers go quite "high" (over .480" in this case) aftermarket cams are ground on the same base circle as "stock" (factory) cams.

FWIW

Jim

[Torque454]

Here is the cam I am planning to use:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Comp-Cams/249/...d=#moreDetails